The organised private sector (OPS) met to look at how ready the Micro, Small & Medium, Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria are to effectively trade in the African Continental Free Trade Areas.

At a stakeholders meeting organised by NACCIMA in Lagos on Thursday, the OPS unanimously agreed that MSMEs must embrace global best standards, influence government policy reforms and work together with one voice to strengthen it’s participation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

The OPS stakeholder meeting which was supported by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), had representatives of partner members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) as well as the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN)

Prof. Jonathan Aremu spoke on Nigeria’s role in AfCFTA and the need to take advantange of the opportunities that abound. Dr. Adedeji Adeniran from centre for the study of the economies of Africa spoke on the implications of  AFCTA on MSMEs in Nigeria examining 7 sub sectors under MSMEs.

The stakeholders meeting is in line with one of CIPE’s objectives in strengthening the Private sector to participate in democratic governance, for inclusive growth through market-led solutions.