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Forvis Mazars, FNCCI Rally CFOs On AfCFTA Opportunities
Leading global professional services firm, Forvis Mazars, in partnership with the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has urged business leaders to position their organisations to take advantage of opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive regional trade, investment and sustainable economic growth.
The call was made during the sixth edition of the annual CFO Luncheon Series held in Lagos on Tuesday. The event, themed “Trade Policy, AfCFTA and the C-Suite’s Growth Agenda,” brought together chief financial officers, policymakers and industry experts to examine how the continental free trade agreement is reshaping corporate finance, supply chains and regional investment.
Speaking at the event, the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, said the changing dynamics of global trade had created a unique opportunity for African businesses to deepen regional integration through the AfCFTA.
He described the trade agreement as a historic platform capable of stimulating long-term economic growth across the continent.
Country Leader of Forvis Mazars in Nigeria, Uhabia Ojike, said businesses were operating in an increasingly complex environment characterised by currency volatility, fiscal reforms, regulatory changes and shifting global trade patterns.
Despite the challenges, he described the AfCFTA as a catalyst for expanding regional trade, strengthening cross-border collaboration and unlocking long-term economic opportunities.
Ojike urged corporate leaders to build agile and resilient organisations capable of adapting to changing market conditions while capitalising on emerging opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu, called on businesses and policymakers to build stronger economic resilience into their operational strategies.
He stressed that domestic value creation and stronger industrial linkages were critical to maximising Nigeria’s competitiveness under the AfCFTA framework.
According to Uwajumogu, sustainable economic growth depends on four key pillars: institutional capacity, infrastructure and logistics, public-private governance, and the knowledge economy.
He, however, noted that businesses must overcome challenges such as attracting large-scale investment, ensuring a predictable business environment and modernising ageing trade infrastructure to fully benefit from the continental market.
Uwajumogu said Africa presents significant investment opportunities across the energy, finance and infrastructure sectors, noting that Nigeria’s population of about 244 million people, combined with preferential regional market access under the AfCFTA, co-investment platforms and ongoing regulatory reforms, provides a strong foundation for investors.
The event also featured a panel discussion on the practical realities of expanding businesses across African markets.
The panel included Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms Limited, Olawale Rotimi Opeyemi; Partner at Forvis Mazars, Osamudiame Adams; and Tax Partner at Forvis Mazars, Peter Nwofia.
Moderated by Audit and Assurance Manager at Forvis Mazars, Obianuju Irechukwu, the discussion focused on cross-border taxation, regional financing structures and the evolving role of chief financial officers in driving corporate expansion across Africa.
Closing the event, Ojike said the CFO Luncheon Series had evolved into an important platform for finance leaders to exchange ideas, build strategic partnerships and develop practical solutions to business challenges.
He reaffirmed Forvis Mazars’ commitment to promoting innovation, regional integration and sustainable economic development across Africa.
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