By:Businessday

Speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday to mark his one year in office, Akutah bemoaned the connectivity challenge within the African continent as shipments originating from Africa and destined for African countries still go to Europe first before returning to the destination country, increasing time and cost.

To push forward with the plan in the coming year, he said, the Council is partnering with major global shipping companies to support this vision, and some have committed to investing.

“Trade volume within the confined of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will suffer if we don’t focus on improving logistics. We will build the necessary infrastructure in maritime logistics to ensure that goods are moving seamlessly within the continent. Transshipment of goods between Nigeria and other African countries can be possible with the infrastructure we have in the country using Apapa and Onne Ports,” he explained.

Akutah said it’s important for Nigeria to capitalise on the AfCFTA, which opened the African market to over 1.5 billion people with a combined market size of over $4 trillion.

“We cannot leave our markets open for other countries without taking steps to ensure we benefit. Our goal is to develop manufacturing so that Nigerian goods can be exported across Africa,” he said.