Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged African countries to exert greater control over their natural resources and international trade. During a visit to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Cotonou, Benin, on Friday, he emphasized the need for nations to transform raw materials into high-value goods.
Shettima noted that Africa captures only one percent of the 370 billion dollar global cotton market. He believes revitalizing Nigeria’s textile sector could generate millions of jobs and strengthen non-oil exports. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government aims to launch eight agro-industrial zones across Nigeria, utilizing insights gained from Benin’s successful model.
Accompanied by six state governors, the Vice President inspected processing facilities for cotton, cashews, and soybeans. He stated that these lessons would be applied to Nigeria’s own industrial strategy to foster economic growth and integration.
