The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will increase Nigeria’s exports by more than 15 per cent in fishery, textile, leather, wood and papers, metals, electronics, vehicles and transport equipment.

Buhari stated this at the ninth African Shippers’ Day with the theme: “African Continental Free Trade Agreement: A Veritable Platform for African Shippers’ to Mainstream into Global Trade,” on Monday in Lagos.

Buhari was represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Mr Ademola Adegoroye, stated that african leaders must also build the requisite infrastructure and also actively promote productive employment and a decent workplace, to explore the benefits of the AfCFTA

“For AfCFTA to have a positive influence on long-term investment in productive capacities, African government must develop appropriate supporting policies, build the requisite infrastructure and ensure an educated workforce.

“We will need to actively promote productive employment and decent workplace, women’s empowerment, food security and reduction in inequalities,” he said.