Nigeria’s minister of industry, trade and investment praised Togo’s head of state Tuesday for his engagement on African economic integration, as senior continental trade officials gathered in Lomé for the third edition of the Biashara Afrika business forum.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who is set to become the next president of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers, met with Togo’s President of the Council Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé on the sidelines of the forum, which opened May 18 at the Togolese capital.
Oduwole commended Gnassingbé for his presence throughout the opening session and his direct engagement with discussions on African economic integration, intra-African trade and industrial development.
“The President of the Council demonstrated remarkable leadership by remaining present throughout the exchanges, listening carefully to the various contributions before offering pertinent observations,” Oduwole said.
“I would like to salute this demonstration of leadership and thank him for his commitment to African integration,” she added.
The two leaders discussed strategic priorities for the AfCFTA, including continental industrialization, stronger trade flows between African states, and the promotion of locally manufactured goods.
“We want to produce more on the continent, source from one another and consume products made by African businesses,” Oduwole said.
The exchange reflects growing momentum around the AfCFTA’s practical implementation agenda, with member states increasingly moving from framework discussions toward concrete industrial and trade strategies.
Biashara Afrika 2026, running May 18-20 in Lomé, brings together policymakers, business leaders, financiers and trade partners to advance intra-African commerce.
