Abuja: The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Rep. Kwamoti La'ori (PDP-Adamawa), has called on African nations to focus on their internal strengths to drive economic growth. La'ori emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and a renewed emphasis on agriculture and agro-industrial value chains, which he believes offer significant opportunities for development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, La'ori stated that Africa's progress would not be achieved through foreign aid but through mutual cooperation, strategic investment, and a shared vision of prosperity. He highlighted Tanzania's sisal industry as a key opportunity, referring to it as "green gold" due to its historical roots and potential. Tanzania, he noted, is Africa's leading producer of sisal, contributing over 35% of the global output.
Sisal, traditionally used in products such as ropes and mats, has found modern applications in carpets, composites, and biodegradable geotextiles, making it a strategic commodity in today's environmentally-conscious global market. La'ori underlined that Tanzania's sisal industry benefits from a comprehensive institutional framework that encompasses cultivation, processing, research, and export.
La'ori mentioned his interactions with Tanzania's High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Selestine Kakele, and the Director General of the Tanzania Sisal Board, Mr. Saddy Kambona, to emphasize the sector's readiness for strategic investment by African partners. He encouraged Nigerian investors, cooperatives, agro-industrialists, and development partners to explore opportunities in Tanzania's sisal value chain, including investments in plantation development, fiber processing, finished products, and export logistics.