Africa Urged to Add Value, Not Export Raw Materials

On Thursday, Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, stated that Africa must cease exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources to fully leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, she highlighted that value addition and beneficiation are crucial for Africa’s industrialization and long-term economic growth.

Okala noted that AfCFTA is not solely about eliminating tariffs but also serves as a framework for industrialization, value addition, and job creation. She stressed that Africa's economic transformation relies on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, rather than merely signing trade agreements.

Under the leadership of Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria has intensified efforts to implement the agreement, including developing simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages. Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate trade barriers and create a truly integrated African market.