Intra- African Trade Rebounds by 12.4% in 2024- Afreximbank

“Despite global headwinds, Africa’s trade rebounded strongly in 2024, with trade between African countries growing by 12.4% to reach US$220.3 billion, from a contraction of 5.9% in 2023. This shows the tangible benefits of AfCFTA implementation, even as the continent contends with rising inflation, sovereign debt risks, and a persistent trade finance gap.” Dr. Yemi…

Read More

Nigeria Adopts UN/CEFACT to Fast-Track Global Trade Integration

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed a strong commitment to fast-tracking Nigeria’s integration into global trade systems through the adoption of international trade facilitation standards developed by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). This assurance was given during a high-level stakeholders’ interactive session organised recently by the Nigerian Export…

Read More

BACITI: Nigeria Can Reap Full benefits of Ports Digitization Like Kenya, Morocco and Rotterdam

The Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment (BACITI) of the Nigerian Institute Of international Affairs (NIIA), called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to accelerate full digitalization of the port community system (PCS) across all major ports in the country. BACITI made the call in its just released May Economic Insight, noting that…

Read More

Benin Republic Emerges West Africa’s Textile Hub courtesy of UAE-based Arise IIP

Benin Republic has emerged as the textile hub in West Africa.The Republic of Benin has quietly emerged as a hub for sourcing textiles for international and regional markets in West Africa. The Glo Djibe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), situated 45km from Cotonou, has aided Benin Republic’s emergence as the focal point for ultra-modern textile facilities where…

Read More

Cross-border traders decry multiple Levies on Lagos-Abidjan corridor

“The levies they listed include road maintenance levy (0.85% Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF), statistics levy (7.28% CIF), corridor security levy (0.50% CIF), Customs bond (0.25% CIF), Customs stamp (4% Stat), tracking (75,000 per truck).” Cross-border traders have continued to groan under the high cost of moving goods through the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, which they say,…

Read More

UN Trade Holds Competition and Consumer Protection Conference in July

“In a statement on Friday, UNCTAD said that the conference series, held every five years, is the world’s highest-level multilateral meeting on competition and consumer protection.” The 9th edition of the United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection is set for 7-11 July in Geneva, convening national governments, antitrust and consumer authorities, legal experts,…

Read More