Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) has arrived at the Mombasa Port in Kenya. The Nigeria AFCFTA coordination office confirmed the arrival of the shipment on Sunday, highlighting the country’s role in harnessing the free trade deal to boost intra-African economic relations.
The cargo, which comprised synthetic filaments manufactured by Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported utilising AfCFTA preferential trade provisions and in accordance with the directive from the African Union’s 31st Ordinary Assembly.
The first shipment is a major boost towards achieving the goals of the AFCFTA deal as contained in the agreement brokered in 2019. Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, described the development as a triumph for the continent.
Olutayo said, “In times of escalating geopolitical tension and looming geoeconomic fragmentation, AfCFTA presents a perfect opportunity for Africa to leverage trade as a strategic instrument for enhanced market access among state parties. This is a historic moment, a realisation of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers.”
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The AFCFTA Nigeria Office commended the Kenyan counterpart for playing a key role in the smooth takeoff of the shipment which is considered a great step towards the eventual success of the deal.
