Nigeria’s preparedness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been called into question by Segun Musa, Vice President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
In a recent interview, Musa warned that Nigeria’s infrastructural deficiencies and lack of production capacity make it vulnerable to becoming a dumping ground for goods from other African nations.
Musa emphasized that sustainable production is crucial for Nigeria to benefit from AfCFTA. However, the country lacks key enablers such as stable energy supply, advanced technology, reliable infrastructure, and adequate security.
“Without these, our participation will be limited to the importation of goods from other African nations, as we have no competitive advantage to leverage in the continental market,” he said.
To address these challenges, Musa called for urgent government intervention to boost local production and enhance Nigeria’s trade readiness.
He advised the government to identify and support entrepreneurs in production, provide them with liquidity, and ensure their products meet certification standards.
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.
While expressing hope that Nigeria could still benefit from AfCFTA, Musa urged the government to prioritize local content development, capacity building, and export-readiness initiatives.
With AfCFTA aiming to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, Nigeria’s ability to maximize its benefits remains uncertain without significant structural reforms and a clear trade strategy.
