Gov Makinde hosts AfCFTA Secretary-General, Azerbaijani investor

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Saturday received the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Mene, who was accompanied by an investor from Azerbaijan, Mr. Tahir Gozel, was on a working visit to Oyo State in support of the state’s plan to become the first subnational entity in Africa to develop an AfCFTA implementation strategy.

While welcoming them, Governor Makinde emphasized various opportunities for trade and investment in agribusiness, solid minerals development, and tourism in the state.

He also noted that the ongoing airport upgrade would expand the Oyo State economy by facilitating trade and investment.

Speaking further, he assured that the development of the rail corridor—featuring a business district occupying about 4,000 hectares of land—and the 110-kilometre ring road around Ibadan, whose first phase will be completed this year and concessioned, would further enhance economic growth.

In his remarks, Mene reaffirmed AfCFTA’s commitment to fostering intra-African trade and boosting economic development in Nigeria and across the continent.