[ad_1]
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) not to abuse the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
The trade agreement begins on January 1, 2021.
Buhari spoke at the XIII Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held virtually on Saturday.
Represented by Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, Buhari expressed his enthusiasm for the start of the agreement.
The Nigerian leader said it was a fulfillment of the collective dreams of the founding fathers of Africa.
He stressed that any violation of the rule could affect trade relations, cause disorder, regional and geopolitical tensions and reduce economic growth.
“In light of Nigeria’s strategic role in our collective efforts to build the Africa we want, the Nigerian government has taken bold steps to ratify the AfCFTA.
“However, it is pertinent to remind us of the need to preserve the agreed rule that we are implementing, to ensure that there is no break or abuse of the rules based on the continental free trade framework.”
Buhari noted that Nigeria was aware of its role in deepening intra-African trade and its success.
He assured that the largest nation in Africa remains open to working with all African nations.
– DailyPost.Ng
