RAMAPHOSA VISIT
Cautious Nigeria agrees to sign African continental free-trade agreement
Abuja — Nigeria would soon sign up to an African continental free-trade agreement, President Muhammadu Buhari said. Buhari made the comment on Wednesday at a media conference during a visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The agreement was signed by 44 countries in March, with SA joining earlier in July. Before leaving Nigeria for the Middle East on Wednesday Ramaphosa urged the Nigerians to join the free-trade agreement. Ramaphosa said Nigeria should take its time to consult on the agreement before signing up, but shouldn’t "take too long". "The continent is waiting for Nigeria and SA. "By trading among ourselves, we are able to retain more resources in the continent," he said in Abuja on Wednesday. At a joint media conference with Ramaphosa later in the day, Buhari said Nigeria was careful about signing the trade deal to avoid hurting its young industries. "I will soon sign it," he said. Talks to establish the African Continental Free-Trade Area (AfCFTA) with a combined GDP of more ...
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