Monday, November 02,2020 / 08:00AM / Ecobank / Header Image Credit: Ecobank 

TheManaging Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has said the bank isprepared to partner with other organizations to explore the opportunitiesavailable in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  Akinwuntan in his remark at an event in Lagospointed out that the pan African bank was set up primarily for the economicintegration and development of Africa, stressing that the bank was ready todeploy its capacity, platform and network to achieve the AfCFTA objectives.

Accordingto him, "Naturally for us as a pan African bank, we are set up to support theeconomic integration and development of Africa. We have a commitment, capacity,network to support the realization of AfCFTA objectives. We understand theregulatory environments, cultures and have the technology and innovationplatforms. We will support Fintech to push Africa to benefit from the globalmarket."

 Also speaking, AfCFTA, Mene Wamkele expressedsatisfaction that Nigeria is ready to deposit the instrument of ratification ofthe AfCFTA, noting that he is looking forward to Nigeria’s leadership inAfCFTA.

Heobserved that for a long time the African continent has focused on security andpolitical issues, noting that focus is now being shifted towards trade andinvestment-related matters.

"Whateverdecision we take at the secretariat would be informed by what Africa wants. Wewill not put up any design that will not support what Africa wants. We wouldemploy digitization, and fintech will drive financial inclusion. We would drivetrade inclusion through fintech that would be affordable, accessible, andavailable," adding that "Border closure and xenophobic issues have to beaddressed according to the rules of the trade agreement, foreigners have to beprotected by the agreement. All foreign entities must be treated like domesticplayers. Discrimination of any kind that will be tolerated. AfCFTA has improvedon the WTO requirements on trade facilitation, and we would ensure thatcountries meet up with their obligation to ensure smooth trade," Wamkelepointed out.

Related News on AfcTA

1.     AFCTA - African Companies Should Explore M and As –Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe

2.    AFCTA: LCCI Harps On Competitive Nigerian Economy, GhanaTo Serve As Secretariat

3.    Signing AfCTA Agreement; Our Concerns for Nigeria

4.    AfCFTA in Post COVID-19 Era: What Next for Nigeria?

5.    Regional Integration as a Tool for Wealth Creation inAfrica

6.    AU Inaugurates AfCFTA Permanent Secretariat as Launchpadfor Africa's Economic Transformation

7.    Is This The Right Time to Defer AfCFTA?

8.    Democratizing Globalization: A Conversation with SojiApampa, Co-Founder and CEO CBi

9.    Nigeria remains the Investment Destination of Choice inAfrica

10.  NBCC Forum: Experts Discuss Nigeria As a Gateway toEmerging African Markets

11.  COVID-19 and the Case for the AfCFTA

12.  Free Trade Zones: NEPZA Secures NIPC's Partnership

13.  Pandemic Gives Boost to Illicit Trade

14.  Nigeria Fully Supports a Monetary Union With The RightFundamentals - Buhari

15.  Ibrahim Abdullahi To Speak On Investments In NasarawaState Tomorrow on WebTV

16.  AfCFTA Take-off Date Suffers Setback

17.  How the AfCFTA Will Improve Access to Essential Productsand Bolster Africa's Resilience

18.  Ahead of Tomorrow on WebTV: Discussions on COVID-19; Focuson NIPC and Investment Promotion

19.  AfCFTA Agreement: Hitting the Coronavirus Bumps?

20. Ecobank is Providing Opportunities that Support Exportsand Imports - Sunday Abah

21.  IFC Partners with Coronation Merchant Bank to Boost TradeFinance in Nigeria

22. Ecobank Nigeria To Host Regional Trade Forum 2020;Reiterates Africa Wide Network Advantage

23. Addressing FDI Barriers to Take Advantage of the RegionalTrade Opportunity

24.From CFA franc to the Eco: A Mere Name Change or SomethingMore?

Related News on Ecobank

1.     Ecobank Organises Diaspora Summit; Showcases RemittanceProducts for Nigerians Overseas

2.    Applause as Ecobank Rewards Xpress Point Agents

3.    Ecobank Reaffirms Commitment to Excellent Service Delivery

4.    Alan Sinfield, and Other Professionals to Speak at EcobankDigital Financial Inclusion Summit

5.    Ecobank is the "Go to" Bank for Regional Tradein Africa - Akinwuntan

6.    Ecobank Digital Series: Africa Must Think Continental,Focus on Wealth Creation - Ayeyemi

7.    Ecobank Nigeria Unveil Lead Speakers for Virtual RegionalTrade Conference

8.    Ecobank Digital Series: Education Stakeholders AdvocateMore Private Sector Participation

9.    Ecobank Nigeria Set to Host Virtual Africa TradeConference

10. CBN Reiterates Commitment to MSMEs, As AUDA-NEPAD partnersEcobank Group to launch MSME Academy

11.  Ecobank Group wins the Award for Innovation in FinancialServices from African Banker

12. Ecobank Launches Virtual Card for Online Payments

13.  Ecobank Nigeria Launches Business Banking App - Omni LiteApp

14.  AUDA-NEPAD and the Ecobank Group launch MSME Academy forAfrican MSMEs in Nigeria

15.  Ecobank Transnational Incorporated H1'20 Unaudited Results- Loan Losses Drag Earnings

16.  National Diaspora Day: Ecobank Offers Zero Fees onRapidtransfer

17.  Ecobank Assures Farmers of Seamless Processes As TheyAccess Agric Loans

18.  Ecobank Group Named Africa's Best Bank for CorporateResponsibility by Euromoney

19.  Ecobank Nigeria Extends its Agric Loan to 70,000 Farmers;Promotes Entrepreneurship