AfCFTA: Nigerian market to hit 250m workers in 10 years – Expert

Executive Chairperson, African Youth Union Commission, Dr Carl Oshodi has stated that Nigerian market is expected to gulp over 32.5 per cent of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) drawing it to a potential workforce of over 250 million in the overall 1.2 billion working age.

He made this known during a national forum on AfCFTA operationalization programme in Abuja Wednesday.

While speaking on the theme “sustaining Nigerian export and private sector economy through trade information management” Dr Oshodi tasked stakeholders to facilitate initiative and innovative steps towards a robust agenda that will increase the Gross Domestic Products GDP and the per capita income of Nigerians.

He added that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, especially at National Level will require constant dialogue and flexibility and which ultimately require businesses in the informal sector as drivers while data Management and Trade Information should form the key pillars in driving a sustainable Export and Private Sector Economy in Nigeria.

According to him,  “In less than a generation, it is projected that Africa will have the world’s biggest workforce. This is estimated to mean that more than 1.2 billion working age Africans, which is more than China or India will occupy the productive and consumptive sector.”

“While fostering an enabled Market place platforms for ordinary business Community for the interest of Nigeria’s economy, Boosting Intra-Africa Trade, enhancing movement of goods, persons and services across Regional Borders, etc.”

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