President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the Nigerian government will continue to support efforts to broaden the economy through multilateral financing.
The President said this in Durban, South Africa when he received on a courtesy visit, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Prof. Benedict Oramah ahead Monday’s opening ceremony of the 2nd Intra-African Trade Fair Conference in the South African city.
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The President said “I appreciate the support you are giving Nigerian businesses and by implication, the Nigerian economy. Rest assured you can count on me as you seek a better trade and investment climate in Africa”.
The President of the bank who came in company of the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, thanked President Buhari for honouring the invitation of the South African President to attend the Afreximbank-backed Fair, joining other Heads of State, saying it clearly demonstrated that President Buhari understands the importance of trade and how Intra-African trade can help transform the African economy and that of Nigeria.
He also appreciated the Nigerian leader for granting the land and accepting to grace the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony of the Africa Medical Centre of Excellence project to be implemented by the continental bank in Abuja in December.
Prof. Oramah reiterated that Nigeria is an important market for the bank with an exposure of 5.5 billion dollars and it was therefore imperative that it can continue to engage Nigeria at the highest level.
He said Nigerian businesses got deals worth over 3.3 billion dollars during the first edition of the event in Cairo, Egypt, adding that more is expected at this year’s Fair with an assurance that Afreximbank would be ready to support such business deals emanating from the event especially considering the support it has seen from the President.
Oramah explained that Nigeria’s participation was essential as the largest economy in Africa as Africa and Nigeria need each other.
Reporter: Yemi Adebayo Editor :Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
