Africa’s private sector urged to tap AFCFTA potentials

The NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN) has supported the mobilisation of Africa’s private sector to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta). Speaking at the 2025 High-Level Business Forum in Lagos, NBGN Chairman, Bashorun J.K. Randle, stressed the need for Africa’s private sector to be repositioned to fully leverage the $3.4 trillion […]

The NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN) has supported the mobilisation of Africa’s private sector to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta).
Speaking at the 2025 High-Level Business Forum in Lagos, NBGN Chairman, Bashorun J.K. Randle, stressed the need for Africa’s private sector to be repositioned to fully leverage the $3.4 trillion AfCFTA market.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria, and Africa at large, moves decisively from ambition to action, building a prosperous continent powered by competitive enterprises, innovation, and strong institutions,” he said.
The forum, themed ‘Mobilizing Africa’s Private Sector for AfCFTA towards Africa’s Economic Development Amid Global Uncertainty,’ identified key areas for growth, including access to long-term financing for MSMEs, strengthened institutions and harmonized standards, and public-private partnerships for infrastructure development. Randle outlined NBGN’s priorities, including strengthening partnerships with government agencies and private-sector organizations.
He added support to SMEs to meet certification standards and access intra-African markets, and deepening policy advocacy on trade-enabling reforms as part of the group priorities.

 

He reaffirmed that private sector commitment to Africa’s economic renaissance will not result from declarations but from decisive execution, and the private sector must lead this next phase.

 

“NBGN’s vision for a private sector-driven economy is expected to unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and job creation across the continent,” he said.