- Nigeria risks becoming a dumping ground for goods from other African nations due to its infrastructural deficiencies and lack of production capacity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed concerns about Nigeria’s readiness to participate effectively in AfCFTA.
- NAGAFF Vice President, Segun Musa, emphasized the need for sustainable production and government intervention to boost local production and enhance Nigeria’s trade readiness.
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed concerns about Nigeria’s readiness to participate effectively in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Segun Musa, NAGAFF’s Vice President, Air and Logistics segment, warned that Nigeria’s lack of production capacity and infrastructural deficiencies make it vulnerable to becoming a dumping ground for goods from other African nations.
Musa emphasized that sustainable production is critical for any country to benefit from AfCFTA. However, he noted that Nigeria lacks key enablers such as stable energy supply, advanced technology, reliable infrastructure, and adequate security. This limitation will restrict Nigeria’s participation to importing goods from other African nations, as the country has no competitive advantage to leverage in the continental market.
To address these challenges, Musa called for urgent government intervention to boost local production and enhance Nigeria’s trade readiness. He recommended identifying and supporting entrepreneurs in production, providing them with liquidity, and ensuring their products meet certification standards for both local and export consumption.
Musa also criticized the implementation of AfCFTA in Nigeria, describing it as overly theoretical. He expressed frustration with the lack of practical engagement by the government and stakeholders tasked with facilitating the agreement. Instead, he advocated for a more practical approach, focusing on actionable plans that involve all stakeholders.
