Nigeria has been selected to host the 4th Intra-Africa Trade Fair coming up in 2025 after successfully wining the bid to host the continental event.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, made the disclosure Thursday at the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of an ultra-modem shopping centre in Abuja.
“I am happy to inform you that Nigeria has been selected to possibly host the 4th Intra Africa Trade Fair 2025, following a successful submission of a bid to host,” said Adebayo, who was represented at the event by a director in his ministry, Suleiman Adebayo Audu.
He said the establishment of the ACCI ultra-modern shopping centre will complement the government’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s image during the due diligence process.
The ultra-modern market which would be built in Abuja is expected to be a hub for all kinds of businesses, and a platform for business networking, in line with African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.
The project is being built by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Citiscape Property Limited. The 10 hectares of land on which the project would be built is owned by ACCI, while Citiscape Properties Limited is the development partner. The project would be completed in 24 months, according to the management of the property firm.
ACCI president, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, said the project will comprise premium shops, general retail shops, warehouses, cold rooms, stalls, and cafés and restaurants.
Abubakar said it will be implemented as a private partnership development initiative between ACCI and Cityscape “to enhance the socio-economic activities of the city, provide a platform for year-round products for the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) where other Africans can visit to transact and buy Nigerian products” and meet the demand challenges of decent shopping environment for the teaming cosmopolitan population of Abuja and its environs.
He believes the project will accomplish the chamber’s goal of enhancing and sustaining development of businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and lead the private sector in the delivery of sustainable growth and prosperity in commercial activities and businesses in Nigeria.
Adebayo said the project is timely as it will boost economic growth and development in Nigeria, adding that the “shopping centre will complement the government’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s image”.
“This is why we need to continue to strengthen collaborations between the government and the private sector for sustainable growth and development,” the minister said.
On his part, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, said the shopping centre is a testament to federal government’s commitment to driving economic growth and creating employment opportunities for its people.
Managing director of Citiscape, Alh. Garba Ahmed, assured of the company’s readiness to deliver the project within the scheduled period.
