AFC backs Nigeria’s expanded African trade routes

File: President of the African Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu

The President of the African Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, has backed Nigeria’s expansion of trade routes to East and Southern Africa, describing the initiative as a major step towards implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area while urging businesses to drive its success.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Zubairu said the government’s policy would achieve its objectives only if Nigerian companies took advantage of the opportunities created by the new trade corridor.

“Nigeria’s expansion of trade routes to the East-Southern Africa region is a very good initiative. And we, of course, encourage all Pan-African trade initiatives. We think that it will be helpful in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement that we have.

“And it is only through initiatives like this that you give them life. So we think that companies should embrace it. I mean, the government has made the pronouncement, but it is companies that will make it work,” Zubairu said.