Aganga Calls For Economic Integration Among African Countries

Posted by African Examiner Business News, Latest Headlines, Uncategorized Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola

Nigerian Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga has called for economic integration among African nations to boost economic activities in the continent.

Aganga said economic cooperation of African countries would give Africans opportunity to develop their economy, thereby reducing the influence of western nations in the continent.

He said Ministers of investment/Trade/Finance of African countries have been meeting regularly to discuss way to explore potentials of the continent.

According to Aganga: “Its high time for African nations to stop over dependent on western nations such as US, United Kingdom, France and others for economic development. There must be genuine economic cooperation among nations within the continent.

“African leaders should encourage intra African economic cooperation. For instance, two leading South African companies; MTN and Shoprite are investing in different African countries. It evident that the two companies have created employment for many Nigerians and contribute to our revenue through tax payment.

“The regularly meeting of Ministers of Trade/Investment/Finance from different African countries has developed to ‘Think Tank’ platform for economic development of the continent.”

He added that his ministry would partner with Ghana and Ivory Coast to boost cocoa production in the country.

The Minister said economic integration of African countries would allow the continent to relate with other nations as strong entity, rather than dealing with western nations as small and weak nations.

Aganga advised African leaders to put continent/national interest first in dealing with other nations of the world.