As the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) prepares for its Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) 2024, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alongside the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Secretary of AfCFTA Nigeria, Dr. Segun Awolowo, have been confirmed as part of the distinguished guests to grace the occasion.
The event set to take place on November 21, 2024, at the prestigious Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, will address the theme, “AfCFTA: Dismantling Trade Barriers, Navigating Regional Trade.”
This year’s lecture is poised to tackle the pressing issues surrounding AfCFTA offering insights on how to overcome trade barriers and leverage regional integration for economic growth.
The gathering will feature high-level discussions from industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in the maritime and trade sectors, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities within the region.
According to the President of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere, “the theme for this year’s lecture is timely, especially as Nigeria and other African nations work towards maximising the potential of AfCFTA.
“We believe this event will provide stakeholders with valuable insights into overcoming trade barriers and capitalising on the benefits of regional integration.”
MAMAL 2024 is expected to draw participation from across the maritime, trade, and logistics sectors, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, and strategic discussions aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s position in the regional market.
“As an association committed to advancing the maritime industry, we believe that the MAMAL lecture series play a critical role in shaping discourse on policy and trade-related matters.
“Our goal is to facilitate dialogue that will contribute to create a more integrated and competitive regional market through the AfCFTA framework,” Bivbere added.
The event promises to provide participants with valuable insights on navigating the complexities of regional trade, strategies for overcoming challenges, and opportunities for investment and collaboration.
Participants will also gain an understanding of how to position their businesses for success in the evolving trade landscape within the continent.