Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unlocking prosperity, creating employment, and boosting trade through the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) sub-national implementation strategy.
Speaking during a post-engagement meeting on the AfCFTA implementation held at the Local Government Service Commission Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor said the strategy aligns with his agenda for sustainable development in the state.
Makinde explained that Oyo State’s participation in the AfCFTA was driven by its size, population, and ongoing infrastructural development. He noted that the agreement would lead to massive job creation, increased opportunities for entrepreneurs, and a boost in trade volumes.
He stated that his administration aims to be remembered for establishing institutions and structures that would ensure a smooth transition into the future.
The governor also revealed that his administration has been investing heavily in infrastructure and policies that improve living standards while saving about $6 million in the state’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, created to secure the future of Oyo State.
“Knowledge and productivity must be combined with natural resources to take any state or country out of poverty,” Makinde said. He added that the AfCFTA initiative represents one of the institutional frameworks shaping the state’s future.
He highlighted the ongoing upgrading of the Ibadan Airport to international standards and the implementation of key economic policies as evidence that the vision for sustainable development is being realized.
The governor commended the AfCFTA technical working group, led by his Special Adviser on AfCFTA and International Trade, Ms. Neo Tlhaselo, for their dedication and contribution to the project.
Ms. Tlhaselo, in her remarks, thanked the governor for his leadership, describing Oyo State as the first sub-national entity in Africa to sign on to the AfCFTA agreement.
She explained that the post-launch engagement is a statutory administrative step following the implementation strategy, which officially designates Oyo State as a participant in the AfCFTA framework.
Tlhaselo added that the strategy serves as a legal instrument allowing Oyo State to engage in bilateral relations and international trade agreements, positioning the state as a viable partner to other African countries.