Visiting Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday urged African countries to work together to boost internal trade and wean the continent of its dependence on external aid.

At the State Luncheon hosted by his Botswana's counterpart Ian Khama, Jonathan said that after the victory over the forces of colonialism and apartheid in the continent, the next logical frontiers remain the consolidation of independence and economic development.

"True independence will only come to Africa when the continent boosts its internal trade and weans itself of its dependence on external aid. This is why we support the AU's persistent focus on boosting intra-African trade as a means of further fostering a better regional and continental integration," he said.

He said the economic development will be more difficult to achieve without a free intra-trade economic and trading system.

"Africa is well endowed in terms of human and material resources that can be utilized for a turn-around of Africa's economy," Jonathan said, adding African countries must take their destinies in their own hands, and "individually and collectively harness Africa's resources with the partnership of the international community."

Botswana's President Ian Khama said there is great potential for enhanced cooperation between Botswana and Nigeria through existing bilateral frameworks such as the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.

"This platform continues to serve as an important vehicle for the expansion and deepening of the scope of our bilateral relations, which should include other key potential areas such as energy supply, agriculture and tourism," Khama said.

Botswana and Nigeria established diplomatic relations in 1968.