ECOWAS seeks free trade deal with Nordics

Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama said free trade agreement between ECOWAS and Nordic countries will provide market access for African businesses in Northern Europe.

Onyeama stated this at the 16th Africa-Nordic Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Abuja at the weekend. It was attended by ministers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark and 21 African countries.

“We now have to look at the possibility of ECOWAS and the Nordic countries having a free trade agreement of some kind. I think that will also help in giving some market access,” he said.

He said the deal would also facilitate greater investments from countries to Africa.

He said though products in the Nordic zone have hidden subsidy, which makes it difficult for Africa to compete in those countries; African entrepreneurs need enterprise capability to penetrate their markets.

Onyeama quoted the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallström as saying that Africa needs Nordic to have a mechanism that respects the rule of law and human rights to make the continent more attractive for trade and tourism.

The meeting was to promote the direct trade between the Nordic zone and Africa. It focused on trade and investment, peace and security and sustainable development in Africa, including the Agenda 2063 of the African Union.