By Christian George
Nigeria has been selected to host the fourth intra-African trade fair billed for 2025.
This will allow the continent’s most populous nation to create a platform where other African nations can exchange their goods and services.
The Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, disclosed this while at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ultra-Modern Shopping Centre sited on 10 hectares of land along Airport Road, Abuja.
Punch has it that the Intra-African trade is a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a Gross Domestic Product of over US$3.5 trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“I am happy to inform you that Nigeria has been selected to possibly host the fourth Intra-Africa Trade 2025, following a successful bid to host the event,” the Minister said.
The minister who was represented by the Director of Trade, Suleiman Audu, said the shopping centre was timely as it would boost economic growth and development in Nigeria.
He reiterated that the establishment of the ACCI shopping centre will complement the government’s effort in boosting Nigeria’s image and it is expected to be a hub for all kinds of businesses, a platform for business networking, in line with the AfCFTA agenda, adding that it will promote business activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Buying and selling, the exchange of goods and services, always generate the momentum that results in more economic growth and this project is designed to accomplish the chamber’s goal of promoting the growth and development of businesses in the FCT and supporting the private sector in maintaining sustainable progress and prosperity in commercial activities in Nigeria,” he explained.
