Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday lamented that small business owners in the country are yet to know the benefits they derive from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Osinbajo, who spoke in Abuja while declaring open a two-day programme on Organised Private Sector in Nigeria Roundtable Dialogue on Potential Impact of AfCFTA agreement called for more sensitisation of the Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The programme was organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) in conjunction with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Centre for International Private Enterprise, among others.
The vice president, who was represented by Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, noted that the sensitisation was imperative to ensure that the MSMEs in the country benefited from the continental market.

While presenting his report titled: "Continental Integration and the Nigerian Economy", he said it focused on the effect of AfCFTA on MSMEs in the country adding that the report was to fill the knowledge gap on the possible effects of AfCFTA on the economy.

According to him, the report was based on the surveys conducted for 1,800 MSMEs in five states, covering multiple sociocultural zones to evaluate the awareness and preparedness of MSMEs.

"The survey results disclosed that the majority of MSMEs are unaware of the existence of the trade agreement, especially smaller businesses.

"This is an important finding for the nation as this lack of knowledge will prevent their successful utilisation of the agreement."

Earlier, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said that Nigeria's ratification of the AfCFTA provided a unique opportunity for Nigerian exporters to enhance their productive and export capabilities.

"To achieve positive results for exporters and the wider economy, we must be proactive and strategic in taking steps to improve the ability of Nigerian companies to compete with other producers on the continent."

Then create awareness and stop m*dturbating... You common commissioner...

How will they know when Buhari is frustrating in any free trade initiative and blocking borders for no reason... A friend has been trying to export some goods now for 7 weeks and is being frustrated by Nigerian authorities

The medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) in the country benefited immensely from the continental market of AFCFTA

yanabasee1:
Then create awareness and stop m*dturbating... You common commissioner...

You called him a commissioner, what has been your parents position in your community, e-goa

.

AfCFTA is the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers amongst member countries to allow single market for goods and services, facilitated by movement of persons in order to boost economic activities.

Just look at what Jubrin has turned the midget into, a jester for the public that is always talking rubbish

Osinbajo has been an advocate for MSME in the country. With this new development , MSME will really excel by making their products available within and outside the country .

Karlovych:
Just look at what Jubrin has turned the midget into, a jester for the public that is always talking rubbish

I just pity your ignorance... you keep abusing the VP but he keeps moving forward without minding your trash.. pele o

The medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) has really help business owners and boosting the economic of the country as a whole

Deputy1111:
I just pity your ignorance... you keep abusing the VP but he keeps moving forward without minding your trash.. pele o

Of course he is moving forward into the abyss he and his dullard are leading you Nigerians into with their snail-like economic policies. Your naira is becoming worthless on a daily basis and living conditions worse than it is since they both became leaders.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday lamented that small business owners in the country are yet to know the benefits they derive from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

And whose fault is it ?

Small business owners who are in he dark as regard trade agreements by government or agencies of government that failed to disseminate and orientate business owners on benefits accruable from trade agreements with neighbor countries ?

Yea dey don't know the advantage of 10k and with 10k u can start a big company

okefranci:

You called him a commissioner, what has been my foolish parents position in my community, e-goa like me

Swerve...

This is a great initiative, the exporters are not left out and is good.