The Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) has recently conducted a nationwide, sectoral and industry-wide consultation and sensitisation exercise on the African Continental Free Trade Area AFCFTA, a process transparent enough and substantive to set a standard for openness.

At the event which was held in Abuja, recently, complex technical issues were explained rigorously to both Government and Private Sector Stakeholders, and it was seen as a hugely beneficial exercise in the sustained efforts by Government to explain, consult and, in turn, improve understanding on trade-related competitiveness issues.

A total of twenty-seven groups were consulted in the dedicated meetings, including NACCIMA, NASME, MAN, FESPAN, RIPAN, PAN and the NLC as the sensitization exercise also included meetings within consultative forums in all the six geopolitical zones, involving 1,751 persons.

However, the results of consultations with Stakeholders in the 6 Nigerian Geopolitical Zones were reflected in 5 communiques and 1 Factual Summary, openly, and transparently adopted and available to the public.

According to the Communications Adviser for NOTN, Mr Emenike Chibuzor, “The Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations invited inputs from the entirety of the Nigerian public and private sector inputs to accompany the submission of autonomous inputs to the Government.

“The requests for inputs were called for through radio, TV, daily newspapers and social media. Eleven private sector Stakeholders who autonomously submitted and signed inputs to the Federal Government of Nigeria include: Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AWEP); National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMMA); Federation of South-South Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (Fossccima); Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASMEs); Nigerian Agri-Business Group (NABG); Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Digital Economy (Jumia); Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).”

Emenike added: “In terms of the state of play on the substance of the AfCFTA, Nigeria is currently re-focused on its continued working relationships relevant MDA’s and the Organised Private Sector, to coordinate a joint position for Nigeria on the AfCFTA.”

In his words, “As at the date of the preparation of the draft list of tariff lines that would eventually be validated as a Draft Schedule for Tariff Concessions for Trade in Goods is an active process underway. The process was initiated with a communication to MAN, requesting for inputs, on the 11th of May. The request for inputs from MAN followed dedicated meetings with MAN on 15th March, 27th April and telephone contacts.”

He further said: “Technical inputs were received from MAN, based on which the non-draft offer was forwarded to MAN on 11th May. A technical feedback is still being awaited from MAN. MAN has not acknowledged the draft and a technical feedback is still awaited from MAN.”

Emenike emphasised that “on 26th June, the Technical Working Group on Goods, chaired by NOTN, started the process of reviewing the non-Draft Offer on Goods, with the participation of MAN, saying the process was envisaged to continue for the next 1 month to be finalised, following a final review with the Tariff Technical Committee (TTC), with competent jurisdiction for Nigerian Tariffs”

However, one of the deficiencies in Nigeria’s conduct and management of trade policy is the absence of a Trade Remedy Infrastructure as its one of the mandates by the Federal Executive Council in the establishment of the NOTN.

NOTN, however, vowed to build partnership and expand the constituency for trade and investments as engines for growth in the Nigerian economy, saying that the NOTN office, would always welcomes and appreciate the inputs, technical and professional support received from the OPS and partner MDAs, through the course of the exercise.

The NOTN equally assured that its office would remain committed to the process of creating market opportunities for the Nigerian Economy and our thriving industries.