MARAN Annual Lecture 2024: Oyetola , Adeniyi, Awolowo lead conversations on AfCFTA:” Dismantling Trade barriers, Navigating regional Trade “
By Babatunde Aremu
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, alongside the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and Dr. Segun Awolowo, the Secretary of AfCFTA Nigeria, will be among the distinguished guests gracing the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2024.
The event is set to take place on November 21, 2024, at the prestigious Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and will address the theme, “AfCFTA: Dismantling Trade Barriers, Navigating Regional Trade.”
This year’s lecture is poised to tackle the pressing issues surrounding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering insights on how to overcome trade barriers and leverage regional integration for economic growth.
The gathering will feature high-level discussions from industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities within the region.
According to Godfrey Bivbere, President of MARAN, “The theme for this year’s lecture is timely, especially as Nigeria and other African nations work towards maximizing the potential of AfCFTA.
“We believe this event will provide stakeholders with valuable insights into overcoming trade barriers and capitalizing on the benefits of regional integration.”
The MAMAL 2024 is expected to draw participation from across the maritime, trade, and logistics sectors, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, and strategic discussions aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s position in the regional market.
“As an association committed to advancing the maritime industry, we believe that the MAMAL lecture series plays a critical role in shaping discourse on policy and trade-related matters.
“Our goal is to facilitate dialogue that will contribute to creating a more integrated and competitive regional market through the AfCFTA framework,” Bivbere added.
The event promises to provide participants with valuable insights on navigating the complexities of regional trade, strategies for overcoming challenges, and opportunities for investment and collaboration.
Participants will also gain an understanding of how to position their businesses for success in the evolving trade landscape within the continent.