Soludo Hails Tinubu’s Approval of Anambra Economic Free Trade Zone

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of an Economic Free Trade Zone in the state, describing the initiative as a major catalyst for investment, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Soludo gave the commendation on Tuesday in Awka during a statewide stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar organised by the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) in collaboration with the Anambra State Government.

Themed “Securing Trade Corridors and Unlocking Blue Economy Opportunities,” the forum brought together government officials, business leaders, regulators and other key stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening trade, logistics and economic opportunities in the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Nomso Ebonwu, the governor said the theme of the seminar was closely aligned with Anambra’s development aspirations.

He noted that trade facilitation, secure supply chains, efficient logistics, inland waterways, product standards and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market were interconnected components of a modern and competitive economy.

Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment capable of transforming the state’s entrepreneurial, manufacturing, commercial and innovation strengths into increased investments, productive employment, expanded exports and sustainable economic growth.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Investment, SPAD, and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Christian Udechukwu, expressed the state government’s appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as significant interventions in Anambra and the Southeast.

Udechukwu expressed optimism that the Economic Free Trade Zone would accelerate development and contribute to Tinubu’s vision of growing Nigeria’s economy to a $1 trillion economy and beyond.

“It will create prosperity for the state economy, entrepreneurs and families, while providing opportunities for more people to be recruited into productive activities within the space,” he said.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the Federal Government’s policies were designed to recognise and strengthen local content for participation in the global market.

The minister, represented by an official of the ministry, Kingsley Ibe, said, “Federal policies are being diffused from the federal level to the grassroots to better the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

Earlier, the National Patron of IMAN, Dr Augustine Ekweozor, identified security, confidence, infrastructure, sound regulation and economic opportunities as critical pillars for flourishing commerce.

He said Anambra’s entrepreneurial spirit, manufacturing capacity, commercial networks and strategic waterways provided a strong foundation for greater participation in the emerging blue economy and the AfCFTA.

Ekweozor commended IMAN for convening the dialogue in partnership with the state government, noting that such engagements provided an avenue for critical stakeholders to collectively shape decisions affecting the safety, efficiency and competitiveness of Nigeria’s trading environment.

“The forum is not merely to identify challenges, but to develop practical partnerships and solutions that can be sustained beyond this event,” he said.

Also speaking, the Anambra State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharm. Louis Madubuattah, stressed the importance of securing trade corridors to prevent the infiltration of substandard products into the market.

According to him, “Quality is business.”

Madubuattah appreciated IMAN for choosing Anambra for the engagement, expressing confidence that the state could become a centre of excellence, particularly in the distribution of pharmaceutical products.

The stakeholders’ seminar was chaired by retired Deputy Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, DCG Dera Nnadi, while the lead technical lecture was delivered by Dr Obiora Madu, Director-General of the African Centre for Supply Chain.

Other stakeholders also participated in the engagement, which focused on strengthening trade corridors, improving supply-chain efficiency and positioning Anambra to take greater advantage of emerging blue economy and continental trade opportunities.

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