Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday inaugurated members of the National Action Committee for the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, urging them to explore ways of adding value to Raw materials available in Nigeria.

Besides raw materials, Buhari said they must create jobs for Nigerians, while producing made-in-Nigeria goods that meet global standards.

At the inauguration which held at the presidential villa, Abuja, Buhari described trade as pivotal to job creation, growth and health of the economy.

He said it was an enabler for regional and global integration, adding that ACfTA was an important part of the African Union- 2063 Agenda to promote economic and social integration on the continent.

He said, “For us as a government, our expectation from this agreement is job creation for our youth, increased production of our local raw materials and ultimately, exporting quality Made in Africa goods.

“We are very hopeful of creating a single African market for ‘Made -in- Africa’ goods and services. This trade, together with free movement of people and capital will result in faster integration of African economies.

“As a government, we must ensure that Nigeria’s position remains that, such integration must be rules-based with built-in safeguards, against injurious practices.

“Nigeria’s approach to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement has been very measured and consistent. Our logic was simple, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, we cannot afford to get it wrong.