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The federal government has emphasized the importance of establishing comprehensive standards for goods and services to bolster the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, made this appeal in Abuja on Wednesday during the 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), which was hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Standardization is not merely about setting guidelines; it is about fostering a quality culture and ensuring that our products and services meet international benchmarks, enhancing competitiveness, and facilitating trade. It is about creating a unified market where quality is the norm, not the exception. This vision of ‘One Market, One Standard’ is integral to achieving the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Uzoka-Anite stated.
She emphasized that the focus on made-in-Africa products underscores one of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: the need to enhance Africa’s regional value chains, competitiveness, export-oriented manufacturing, value addition, and the quality infrastructure necessary to boost intra-African trade, industrialization, and self-reliance.
“The goal of my ministry is to reposition and revitalize the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth by exploring innovative strategies to bolster our country’s economic sustainability,” she added.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, highlighted that the event provided a platform to foster collaborations and strengthen the relationships between African countries and the international community. These delegations are key decision-makers in ARSO activities both within the continent and globally.
“The theme of this year’s General Assembly, ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century – Building a Quality Culture – One Market, One Standard,’ is not only apt and significant but will further cement the hope of a standardized single market,” Okeke remarked.
ARSO President, Prof. Alexander Nii Oto Dodoo, stressed the importance of developing quality and improving skills among Africa’s young population. “Standards, trade, and job creation remain critical tools for transforming the African economy,” he noted.
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