Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC, the country’s Port Economic Regulator has concluded plans to hold the 9th edition of African Shippers’ Day in Lagos from Monday, January 16, 2023 to Wednesday January 18, 2023 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The programme, which is being organised in partnership with the Union of African Shippers’ Councils UASC is themed: ‘‘African Continental Free Trade Agreement: A Veritable Platform for African Shippers to Mainstream into Global Trade’’, is expected to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari while the Minister of Transport, Mu’Azu Sambo would be the chief host.

A statement by the head of Public Relations unit of the NSC, Mrs. Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, also said that the Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Agreement AfCFTA, Mr. Wamkele Mene is expected to make a presentation on the topic ‘‘AfCFTA: Vehicle for Africa’s Economic Growth & Development’’.

It was gathered that other speakers at the event would include the Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria ICCN, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi who will speak on ‘‘The Role of INCOTERMS 2020 in the Implementation of AfCFTA’’ and Manager, Trade Finance, African Export-Import Bank, Mr. Nwachukwu Remigus, who will make a presentation on ‘‘Payment Systems in International Trade’’.

According to the statement, the African Shippers’ Day is primarily aimed at creating a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences amongst shippers’ organisations in the West and Central African Sub-regions. It expected that discussions on issues that will improve maritime trade and disseminating information on the role of Shippers’ Councils and UASC would also take place at the event.

It was further gathered that the event will be attended by member nations of the UASC as well as other countries maintaining associate status with the union, shippers and other maritime stakeholders.

Recall that Ghana hosted the 8th edition of the event in 2021 in Accra, the country’s capital.