Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Marland, has stated that the current tariff war offers a great opportunity for the Commonwealth trade with its 56 member states.
 
He stated this during a visit to Nigeria, where he met with CWEIC Nigeria Strategic Partners, top Nigerian businesses and government officials. He explained that The Bahamas was keen for direct trade links with Nigeria and Ghana, adding that Canada was also looking for new markets and friendships.
 
Hailing African governments for expanding free trade with the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Marland said it behoves the continent’s member states to ensure it works. He said that AfCTA presented an opportunity to build relationships with other countries flying the flag of free trades.
 
“Free trade has shown through history that it has lifted people out of poverty, boosted economies, and created and sustained a transparent society for business.
 
“This is why it is important for Africa to push hard to ensure that trade barriers are reduced and relationships are established and maintained,” he said.
 
Expressing a desire to collaborate with local businesses to promote the growth agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he also hoped to develop paths for businesses to trade internationally.He expressed that delegates from other Commonwealth nations came to Nigeria to connect with businesses and seek out partnerships.

Among the delegates were a robotic cancer surgeon at The Royal Marsden, London, Prof. Mohammed Asif Chaudry; Group Chair, George Steuart and Company Ltd, Sarva Ameresekere and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Africa, Crown Agents Bank, John Samkuban.

He further commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting that the present administration inherited a difficult economic environment. He declared that the government was “trying hard to drive growth for the country by creating an environment for people to build trade and business relationships with Nigeria.”