As Africa moves towards becoming a single market, Aloinett Advisors in collaboration with the Abuja Global Shapers have launched a campaign to empower and educate young Nigerians about the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The AfCFTA is an agreement that seeks to remove the tariff and non-tariff barriers that have made trade among African countries more difficult.
At an Open Mic Night hosted by the Abuja Literary Society, Friday tagged: “AfCFTA Dey Call, Answer with Action!,” the organiser said the aim is to engage young Nigerians through a series of informative and interactive activities.
Executive Director, Aloinett Advisors, Teniola Tayo, commenting on the campaign, said the AfCFTA is one of the most important projects in African development at the moment, and Nigeria’s effective participation can help with some of the big issues such as job creation and economic growth.
“Our youth are incredibly vibrant and entrepreneurial. This campaign is a call to action to young people to take charge and take advantage of the AfCFTA. Think Africa, trade with Africa,” she added.
Also speaking, Curator, Abuja Global Shapers, Chimdi Neliaku Esq said the programme is essentially to build awareness on the AfCFTA. “This is an initiative of Africa, from Africa, by Africa to foster intra-continental trade. This is important because we have such a huge population and resources, but what has been the missing link hitherto is the inability to trade effectively, create opportunities for citizens of various African countries to collaborate, exchange knowledge, do business together and other advanced services. So we came together to create awareness on the implementation of AfCFTA.
She explained that Nigeria is at that stage to fully kick start the AfCFTA project, and that there is a need to ensure that young people are adequately prepared and ready to take maximum advantage of the agreement and the free trade area.
“So this Open Mic Night is to inform Abuja young people that this agreement exists and we would like you to take maximum advantage of it.”
On her part, Researcher and Associate, Aloinett Advisors, Aida OluwaGbemiga said the objective of the event is to raise more awareness around the AfCFTA.
She however expressed concern about Nigeria’s readiness for the AfCFTA, saying; “Nigeria is a little on the fence about moving forward, but we are trying to urge and propel the government towards being more involved in the ACFTA. So we are launching the Guided Trade Initiative, which is like the action part of the AfCFTA.”
Highlighting some of the campaign activities, the organisers said there will be dialogues, online dissemination of information about the AfCFTA, online quizzes and polls, an informational webinar and technical workshops for young Nigerians seeking to trade via the AfCFTA.
The Open Mic Night witnessed a series of presentations from poetry, spoken words and music, where James Eneojile emerged winner, taking home N50,000 from his poetry titled “Paper Us.”
In closing, the organisers urged interested parties, especially young Nigerians and stakeholders in the African economic landscape, to join in the transformative campaign towards driving change that will position Nigeria and Africa at large as a leading force in global trade.
