Shettima Insists Africa Must Control Its Resources
Shettima Insists Africa Must Control Its Resources
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, says African nations must take their rightful place in controlling the continent’s resources and global trade.
Newera News gathered that Shettima spoke on Friday in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, during a tour and assessment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).
He said Africa must maximise its vast natural endowments by developing industries capable of processing raw materials into higher-value products.
The vice president said Nigeria’s renewed industrialisation drive would leave no region behind, with the federal government working alongside subnational governments.
He expressed satisfaction with Benin’s efforts to achieve mass production and export of locally sourced resources.
Shettima regretted that Africa benefits from only about one per cent of the global cotton industry, valued at 370 billion dollars.
He said reviving Nigeria’s textile value chain could create millions of jobs, boost non-oil exports and stimulate economic activities nationwide.
The vice president expressed his satisfaction after inspecting cotton, textile, cashew and soya bean oil production facilities at the industrial zone.
“We are here essentially at the behest of President Tinubu, in the spirit of his Renewed Hope Agenda, to see and peer-review global best practices,” he said.
Shettima said the visit would help Nigeria learn from Benin’s experience in creating integrated value chains for cotton, cashew and soybeans.
