By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria is poised for a transformative economic leap as the federal government joins forces with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to drive trade-fueled growth, investment, and inclusive development, officials announced Friday.
In a statement from the Ministry of Finance, Director of Information and Public Relations Mohammed Manga detailed the high-stakes collaboration, signaling a pivotal moment for the nation’s economic future.
Finance Minister Wale Edun, who also serves as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, highlighted Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic gains, including a stronger naira, cooling inflation, and upgraded credit ratings from Fitch and Moody’s. Edun unveiled an ambitious roadmap centered on export diversification, private-sector investment, and human capital development, with a target of 7% GDP growth.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised Nigeria’s bold reforms, emphasizing their potential to restore investor confidence and unlock new markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She called for accelerated efforts in job creation, export expansion, stronger social safety nets, and enhanced energy security to ensure economic gains uplift living standards.
Both leaders vowed to deepen Nigeria’s integration into global value chains and leverage digital trade, with the private sector as a cornerstone of sustainable prosperity.
