By Babajide Okeowo
Despite shutting her border since August 2019, Nigeria has deposited a ratified document of the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA with the African Union legal depository.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday via a tweet.
Head of the Nigerian Mission to the African Union, Amb. Richard Adejola deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA with the African Union legal depository on December 5, 2020.
“On behalf of the Nigerian government, Amb. Richard Adejola, Head of the Nigerian Mission to the African Union, deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA with the African Union legal depository, today, 5th December, 2020.
The instrument of ratification was received by Amb. Albert Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry, representing the AUC Chairperson” the tweet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The African Continental Free Trade Area was created in 2018 to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s trading position in the global market. President Muhammadu Buhari signed the AfCFTA in July 2019.
In August 2019, just a month after signing the AfCFTA, the Federal Government in an ironic move announced the closure of its border which negates the principles of the AfCFTA. The border has remained shut with one month to go to the kick-off of the AfCFTA.
