Thread by @NGRPresident

Nigeria will sign the #AfCFTA Agreement at the upcoming Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Niamey, Niger.

Recall that the Pres. Cttee on the Impact & Readiness Assessment of the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA submitted its Report to Pres @MBuhari Thur June 27, 2019.

“For #AfCFTA to succeed, we must develop policies that promote African production, among other benefits. Africa, therefore, needs not only a trade policy but also a continental manufacturing agenda.” — President @MBuhari, June 27, 2019

“Our vision for intra-African trade is for the free movement of ‘made in Africa goods.’ That is, goods and services made locally with dominant African content in terms of raw materials and value addition.” — President @MBuhari, June 27, 2019 #AfCFTA

Nigeria is signing the #AfCFTA Agreement after extensive domestic consultations, and is focused on taking advantage of ongoing negotiations to secure the necessary safeguards against smuggling, dumping and other risks/threats.

“Let me state unequivocally that trade is important for us as a nation and to all nations. Economic progress is what makes the world go around. Our position is very simple, we support free trade as long as it is fair and conducted on an equitable basis.” — President @MBuhari

Nigeria #AfCFTA Context:

Between March—Oct 2018, @AsoRock undertook extensive AfCFTA Stakeholder Sensitization & Consultations:

34 groups & associations sensitized & consulted

~3,017 persons engaged

5 Communiques adopted & signed

12 private sector groups submitted inputs.

On October 22, 2018, President @MBuhari inaugurated a Presidential Committee on the Impact and Readiness Assessment of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Committee comprised Steering Committee Members and a Technical Work Group.

Terms of Reference of the Presidential #AfCFTA Committee included:

The Core Steering Cttee members was chaired by Min of @TradeInvestNG & co-chaired by Chief of Staff to the President.

The Technical Working Group comprised of an independent Chairman, Mr. Desmond Guobadia & nominees of MDAs, stakeholder groups, & experts in relevant policy areas