Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria is strategically positioned to serve as the hub of the African Continental Free Trade Area, a market valued at $3.4 trillion. Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Shettima pointed to recent upgrades of Nigeria’s sovereign credit ratings by Fitch and Moody’s as proof of improved economic management and policy clarity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that Nigeria offers significant opportunities for investment across energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, citing a $200 billion energy transition plan that leverages the country’s vast gas reserves and renewable energy potential. Shettima also emphasized reforms in ports, special economic zones, and industrial corridors designed to de-risk investments through fiscal incentives, tax waivers, and policy support, making Nigeria a competitive gateway for continental trade.

The Vice President stressed that Nigeria’s demographic advantage, natural resources, and bold economic reforms have created the foundation for its leadership role within AfCFTA. He called on global partners, development institutions, and private investors to work with Nigeria in transforming the continent into a production powerhouse and innovation hub that benefits all Africans.