FG import policy to ease AfCFTA implementation — Don

A university lecturer, Simon Irtwange, says the Federal Government’s policy banning the importation of certain goods from non-ECOWAS member states will enhance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Irtwange, a Professor of Agricultural Processing and Storage at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the policy underscored the need to deepen intra-African trade and ensure the smooth operation of AfCFTA.

“The policy reinforces the need for stakeholders to ensure the workability of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“However, it is imperative for Nigeria to provide leadership to fully harness the opportunities and benefits inherent in the agreement,” he said.

The Federal Government, in a recent circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, banned the importation of poultry products, cement, pharmaceuticals and agricultural goods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The circular stated that the Import Prohibition List (Trade) applies only to goods originating from non-ECOWAS member states.

The revised schedule, dated April 1, outlines 17 categories of goods prohibited from entry through all Nigerian ports.

Irtwange, who is also the National President of the Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, said the policy could strengthen local production and regional trade integration.

He, however, expressed concern that the policy might not have been sufficiently inclusive, noting that it was signed by a minister who exited office shortly after.

He expressed hope that the new Minister of Finance would sustain the policy to avoid policy inconsistency.

The updated list of prohibited imports reinforces the Federal Government’s policy direction on protecting local industries and conserving foreign exchange.