West and Central African Nations Urged to Unite for AfCFTA Success

The Nigerian Federal Government has called on West and Central African countries to foster collaboration for the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

During the closing ceremony of the 43rd Council and 18th Managing Directors’ Roundtable of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa in Lagos, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, stressed the importance of a united Africa and collective action for AfCFTA’s success.

“One Africa certainly is possible, and I urge us all to be active participants in that journey. We can only make collective progress when we work together to continue sharing experiences and best practices among ourselves. If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together,” Ajani stated.

Encouraging participants to turn discussions into actionable plans, Ajani assured that Nigeria, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, would prioritize the development of the maritime sector.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, emphasized the interconnectedness of West and Central African countries, stating, “Our geographical reality of interconnectedness and interdependence makes cooperation a necessary precondition for the collective advancement of our Ports.”

The call for unity aligns with the broader goals of AfCFTA to enhance intra-African trade and economic cooperation.