Abuja: Nigeria, Republic of Benin, and Cameroon have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen trading mechanisms and boost economic growth across their borders. Amb. Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, highlighted this initiative during a Technical Workshop on ‘Support to Trade Cooperation among Nigeria, Republic of Benin, and Cameroon’ held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rimi, represented by Mr. Mohammed Abbas, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, emphasized the importance of building on existing close relationships among the three nations for regional prosperity. He noted Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing intra-African trade, particularly through the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Rimi stated, “Trade among us presents a unique and strategic pathway to shared prosperity. With our partners in Benin Republic and Cameroon, we not only share borders, but cultures and people. Accordingly, with the African Development Bank (AfDB), we have convened this workshop to jointly reflect on opportunities to deepen and refine our trading mechanisms.”
Rimi expressed optimism that the workshop would yield concrete initiatives capable of attracting investments and advancing regional trade.
Also speaking, Dr. Abdul Kamara, Director-General of the Nigeria Country Department, AfDB, noted that the meeting aligned with continental priorities of trade integration, policy harmonization, and infrastructure development. Kamara, represented by Mr. Ometere Omoluabi-Davies, AfDB Regional Integration Coordinator, commended Nigeria and Benin for progress in trade negotiations and urged Benin to ratify the AfCFTA agreement to consolidate regional integration gains.
He highlighted Cameroon’s participation in the AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative as a step toward unlocking cross-regional trade potential between West and Central Africa. Kamara added, “To date, the Bank has invested more than 55 billion dollars in trade-enabling infrastructure. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that enhance women and youth participation in the African market.”
Dr. Fousseni Mama, Director of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Republic of Benin, stated that the workshop aimed to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical benefits for citizens. “We are expecting that the meeting will yield a tangible outcome that will boost trading mechanisms across the continent,” he said.