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By Steve Agbota
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has warned that recurring xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration protests in South Africa pose a serious threat to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), calling on African leaders to take a united stand against the menace.
In a statement issued by the National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, commended the Federal Government for its swift evacuation of Nigerians affected by the recent attacks in South Africa, saying that xenophobic attacks will cripple people’s investments and investors’ confidence.
He described the government’s intervention as a demonstration of its commitment to the safety, welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad, adding that the prompt response had restored confidence among citizens and reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to protect its people.
Ogunojemite, however, expressed concern over the recurring attacks on fellow Africans in South Africa, warning that such incidents undermine the objectives of AfCFTA, which was established to promote economic integration, facilitate the free movement of goods and services, encourage investment and strengthen trade cooperation across the continent.
According to him, AfCFTA cannot achieve its full potential in an environment where African traders, investors, freight forwarders and legitimate businesses are subjected to intimidation, discrimination and violence.
He urged African governments, the African Union, the AfCFTA Secretariat and regional economic communities to strongly condemn the attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“The objectives of AfCFTA cannot be realised where Africans are unsafe in fellow African countries. Silence or weak responses will only encourage future attacks and weaken the vision of a united and prosperous Africa,” he said.
The APFFLON president also advised the Federal Government to intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy through improved infrastructure, a stable electricity supply, port modernisation, a lower cost of doing business, industrialisation, and policies that enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian goods and services across African markets.
He noted that building a resilient and competitive economy remains Nigeria’s best response to external challenges, stressing that a stronger economy would enable the country to maximise the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
Ogunojemite reaffirmed APFFLON’s commitment to supporting policies that promote seamless trade, efficient freight forwarding, logistics development and regional economic integration, while appealing to African leaders to uphold the principles of unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as the foundation for sustainable continental trade and development.
