By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Monday commenced legislative action to strengthen Nigeria’s commercial and trade framework, holding a public hearing on 13 commerce-related bills, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Domestication Bill, aimed at positioning the country to maximise opportunities under Africa’s single market.
The public hearing, organised by the House Committee on Commerce at the National Assembly, drew key stakeholders from the Federal Government, regulatory agencies, the organised private sector, professional bodies, development partners and civil society groups.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, said the proposed legislation forms part of the 10th House’s economic reform agenda to improve the ease of doing business, remove regulatory bottlenecks, attract investment and promote sustainable economic growth.
Represented at the event, Abbas described commerce as “one of the strongest pillars of our economy,” stressing that the bills must undergo rigorous public scrutiny to ensure they respond to emerging realities and global best practices.
