148th IPU Assembly: Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Natasha Talk Trade in Geneva

• The 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 23-27 March 2024
• All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council and other committees, met at the event
• Senator Natasha Akpoti was one of Nigeria's delegates who held a crucial meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

Geneva, Switzerland — At the 148th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, met with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate Chairman on Local Content.

Senator Natasha, known for advocating export opportunities for Nigeria, encouraged Dr Okonjo-Iweala to assist Nigerian businesses in accessing global markets.

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The aim is to strengthen export capabilities, fostering economic growth and diversification.

In a statement made available to Legit.ng, she also expressed concerns regarding her desire for Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI).

She said:

"It is my earnest expectation under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to see Nigeria take advantage of these export opportunities through your support and by working closely with my office as the Senate Chairman on Local Contents"

Amid Nigeria's severe dollar shortages, some believe the country can capitalize on opportunities within AGOA to enhance its non-oil exports, thereby generating much-needed foreign exchange for its economy.

Okonjo-Iweala hails Sen. Natasha

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The Director-General of the WTO praised Senator Natasha for her valuable input and pledged to explore her suggestions.

Additionally, she expressed readiness to collaborate with the Kogi lawmaker to benefit Nigeria, particularly in trade and commerce. AGOA, launched by the US in 2000, permits African nations to export various goods, especially non-oil items, to the US under favourable conditions, fostering economic growth and trade.

It's been vital for many African economies, providing access to the vast American market.

Notably, South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Lesotho, and Ghana dominated non-oil AGOA exports in 2022, comprising 90 per cent of the total, with Nigeria absent from the list.

WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala meets Tinubu at Paris Summit

Amid a surge of social media activity, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), was scrutinised by certain backers of President Bola Tinubu.

These supporters disapproved of her for sharing images of her alongside several global leaders during the Paris Global Financial Summit, purportedly omitting a snapshot with Nigeria's president.

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Subsequently, the former Nigerian minister published photos featuring herself alongside President Tinubu at the Paris gathering.

Source: Legit.ng