Nigeria, June 23 -- Vice President Kashim Shettima says Africa's economic future lies in formalising its vast informal sector particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) warning that continued neglect will only perpetuate economic stagnation.

Speaking at the opening of the 4th African Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Forum in Abuja on Monday, Shettima stressed that nearly 90% of Africa's workforce operates informally, and harnessing this sector is key to unlocking prosperity.

"There can be no African prosperity without a strong MSME ecosystem," Shettima told delegates. "This forum is a continental call to action. We must integrate our informal economy into intra-African trade or remain trapped ...