The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Emeka Obegolu, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting ethical business practices during a webinar co-hosted by the ACCI, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI).
The webinar, themed “Promoting Responsible Business Practices in Africa: Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Respect and Remedy for Human Rights,” focused on the intersection of trade, human rights, and business ethics across the continent.
Dr. Obegolu highlighted the immense potential of the AfCFTA, calling it the largest free trade area globally by participating countries. While acknowledging the opportunities for trade, investment, and industrial growth, he stressed the importance of aligning these benefits with a strong commitment to human rights.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, also spoke at the event, emphasising Nigeria’s leadership in human rights advocacy. He noted the country’s adoption of a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, making Nigeria the third African nation to implement such a framework. Dr. Ojukwu urged that as Africa works toward economic integration through the AfCFTA, human rights must remain a cornerstone of business practices.
Additionally, ACCI’s Director General, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, called for collective action among stakeholders to integrate human dignity into business operations. He encouraged businesses across the continent to adopt human rights-focused policies and frameworks to create a resilient, accountable, and ethical business environment.
