The Federal Government has said Nigeria must focus on exporting value-added products in agriculture, solid minerals and other sectors rather than merely increasing the volume of raw commodities, following China’s decision to grant zero-tariff access to goods from 53 African countries.
The government made the submission on Friday in Abuja at a seminar on China’s zero-tariff measures and their implications for Africa’s economic structural transformation.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said the policy had created an unprecedented opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its exports beyond crude oil and accelerate value-added production and agro-industrial development.
“The question before us, therefore, is not, can Nigeria export more? The question should be, can Nigeria export better?” the minister said.
He said Nigeria could use the opportunity to export processed cassava derivatives, premium rice, spices, hibiscus, cashew blends, soybean products, fruits and vegetables that meet international quality standards.
