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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">BJCR</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title xml:lang="en">British Journal of Contemporary Research</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title xml:lang="en">BJCR</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn>2979-8582</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Bexford Publishing Ltd</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc><uri>https://bexfordpublishing.co.uk</uri></publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">BEX_JUN_26_083</article-id>
      
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group xml:lang="en" subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Original Research Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AFCFTA): CATALYST TO NIGERIAN SEA PORTS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT </article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group content-type="author">
      <contrib corresp="yes">
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Oladipo Alaka </given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>alakaoladipo@gmail.com</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Lagos State University Department of Jurisprudence and International Law , Nigeria</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      <contrib>
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Praise Ogabi</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>praise.ogabi@lasu.edu.ng</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Lagos State University Department of Jurisprudence and International Law</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date date-type="pub" publication-format="epub">
        <day>10</day>
        <month>07</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>2</issue>
      
      
      <pub-history>
        <event event-type="received">
          <event-desc>Received: <date date-type="received">
            <day>20</day>
            <month>06</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
        
        <event event-type="accepted">
          <event-desc>Accepted: <date date-type="accepted">
            <day>29</day>
            <month>06</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
      </pub-history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>Copyright (c) 2026 Oladipo Alaka </copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract><p>This paper examines the current state of Nigerian seaports, identifies the challenges inhibiting their optimal performance, and explores the numerous untapped opportunities that can be harnessed through AfCFTA. It argues that with the right reforms and investment strategies, Nigeria can leverage its port infrastructure to dominate intra-African trade and catalyze inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Keywords: AfCFTA, Infrastructure, Maritime Growth, Development, Ports Import, Export.</p></abstract>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body/>
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