By Kobayashi Daniels/ Agency
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Lelook Bags Academy, has trained 100 Nigerian youths in bag-making to help them leverage opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, highlighted the importance of harnessing AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade and economic development.
She noted that intra-African trade remains at a modest 16.6% of the continent’s population of 1.4 billion, with Nigeria—the continent’s largest economy—participating in only about 10% of this trade, underscoring the significant untapped potential.
Attafuah emphasized the necessity of linking individuals to opportunities, markets, and knowledge, with particular attention to empowering women in trade. She also announced initiatives aimed at providing women with critical information, networks, and financial access, ensuring that AfCFTA serves as a tool for inclusive economic growth.
Addressing the graduates, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Founder and CEO of Lelook Bags Academy, underscored the importance of discipline, continuous learning, and innovation in their careers.
She urged them to see their newly acquired skills as a means to break cycles of poverty, build generational wealth, and create a lasting impact. Ezenwa also encouraged the graduates to take proactive steps in creating opportunities and leading change, emphasizing that women would play a crucial role in Africa’s trade development.
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, praised the academy’s training program and its impact on youth empowerment through bag manufacturing.
Tallen noted that LeLook’s products were internationally competitive and called for greater support for locally made goods, emphasizing that Nigerian brands could match global standards in quality and design.
Dr. Asabe Bashir, Director-General of the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, also commended the high standards of LeLook’s products and announced plans to collaborate with the academy to enhance vocational training programs in Nigeria.
She highlighted that such initiatives contribute to national economic growth by promoting self-reliance and entrepreneurship among women and youths.
“These endorsements underscore the critical role of skill acquisition and local manufacturing in driving economic development and reducing unemployment in Nigeria,” Bashir stated.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Mr. Desmond Toover expressed gratitude to UNDP and Lelook Bags Academy for the training and support.
“We are more than a graduating class; we are a collective force, each of us bringing unique talents and perspectives that, when combined, can create extraordinary outcomes. We are deeply grateful to the phenomenal UNDP and Lelook Bags for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this training,” Toover said.
The event gathered key stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and government representatives, reinforcing the importance of vocational training and local manufacturing in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
