Africa’s free trade zone attracts $3.3trn –Group
Africa’s free trade zone attracts $3.3trn –Group
African Infrastructure Climate and Investment Summit (AICIS) yesterday said that African Continental Free Trade Area is the largest free trade zone in the world connecting economies worth $3.3 trillion.
This is as Africa has 65 per cent of the uncultivated arable land left to feed the world.
Speaking at a summit organised by AICIS in Abuja, the chairman of the planning and organising committee, Moses Owharo, said that by 2050, Africa will account for over one quarter of the world’s population.
According to him, the future of electric cars in the world depends on Africa because it has the largest sources of cobalt in the world with massive sources of lithium in Zambabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Mali and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said that government has been doing a lot in the provision of infrastructure with a view to fighting climate change.
The SGF who was represented by a director in the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation (OSGF), Mr Okon Abasi, stated that ‘Japa’ syndrome should be discouraged.
He said before one migrates, one should ensure that the necessary documents are complete. As for the minimum wage, he said the government would soon implement it.
“In Nigeria, there’s irregular rainfall that affects infrastructure. This brings about erosion, flood and destruction of infrastructure. In the Niger Delta area, we have oil spillage, high sea level, destruction of farm produce and property. Having considered that, no sane nation will fold its hands to watch the destruction,” he said.
In his remarks, Niger State Commissioner of Environment, Yakubu Mohammed Kolo stated that Niger State, like many regions across Africa, faces multifaceted challenges.
“ Niger State Green Economy Investment policy is not merely a document, it is a roadmap towards a greener, more sustainable future. It outlines strategic initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth while preserving our natural resources and motivating the impacts of climate change “ he said. ENDS
The Sun, 18th Aprl 2024
