The National African Continental Free Trade Area Coordination Office, under the Federal Government, announced on Tuesday that within the next few days, 10 Nigerian businesses will commence exporting a variety of locally manufactured products to various countries in East, Central, and North Africa.
Olusegun Awolowo, Coordinator of the National AfCFTA Coordination Office, made this announcement in Lagos during the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s inaugural shipment under the Guided Trade Initiative and the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The companies are 10 in number, and over the next few days, weeks, and months they will be exporting Nigerian products to five countries across East, Central, and North Africa,” Awolowo said.
According to him, these companies which would be exporting products like bags and drinks are setting a new standard for others to follow.
He stated that these companies embodied the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that define Nigeria.
“Some of the companies include, Le Look Nigeria Limited, exporting bags to Kenya; Secure ID Limited, exporting smart cards to Cameroon; Dangote exports clinkers to Cameroon; Avila Naturalle exports black soap and shea butter to Kenya.
“Flour Mills Nigeria, exporting native starch to Algeria; Craft Methods Limited, exporting alcoholic bitters to Uganda; Ruchim Limited, exporting SIM and bank cards to Kenya; Tolaram Group, exporting wrappers to Egypt; and Hwani Industry Nigeria Limited, exporting water closet sanitary sets to Kenya,” Awolowo stated.
Earlier, Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, said Nigeria joined the AfCFTA in 2020, aiming to facilitate cross-border trade within Africa.
He said that the service is a key member of the National Action Committee responsible for issuing certificates of origin and streamlining export cargo clearance.
“AfCFTA participation would open new business and economic growth opportunities for Nigeria and strengthen African relationships,” the customs boss stated.
He revealed that because of delays in phase one, some African countries, such as Rwanda and Ghana, have already commenced trading, and as a result, the NAC examined the successful strategies employed by Rwanda and Ghana to inform Nigeria’s preparation for participation in phase two.
“The NCS is prepared to fulfill its role and has taken actions including training of officers on AfCFTA rules of origin in collaboration with WTO experts, preparing and issuing certificates of origin in both paper and electronic formats, deploying officers trained in AfCFTA export procedures, and designating specialised cistoms ports for faster export clearance,” he explained.
