The operational phase of the AfCFTA was launched during the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on the AfCFTA in Niamey, Niger on 7 July 2019.
It is interesting to point out that (AfCFTA) is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063 Africa’s Development Framework. However, the full implementation of this ambitious goal still remains a challenge with obstacles here and there. With the largest free trade pact in the world in terms of the number of signatories, AFCTA is on track to position the continent into a modern hub, industrialized, cohesive, and influential player on the global stage.
Thus, it is important that authorities promote and sensitize people about this flagship initiative. Even though there are some challenges bisecting its full compliance in some countries, slowly but surely it will be fully implemented in the near future.
In Africa, the start of any new initiative is mostly faced with challenges and obstacles here and there. And some of these obstacles are out of sheer greed by corrupt officials to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation.
The coming of the AfCFTA is not only timely but a wise move if the continent is ready for development. It is high time African countries realized that it is only by promoting intra-Africa trade that they can be able to know the true value of their resources.
This trade agreement should not just be ink on the paper. But rather it should be harnessed to the fullest.
Also, African countries who have not yet signed up to this agreement should do some in a broader move to turn the continent’s potential into reality. It is an indisputable fact that the African continent trading among ourselves African remains one of the biggest obstacles hindering the development of the continent. In most countries trading among their neighbors plays a pivotal role in their wealth creation.
The AfCFTA aims at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.
Africans need to promote intra-African trade to promote inclusive growth and development. From the energy sector, agriculture, mining, industries and education, Africa is blessed with a lot of resources which if harnessed properly would turn our challenges into opportunities. But it takes only a wise mind to come to the reality that trading among ourselves is the best thing to do in this day and age. Yes, it is bound to face challenges here and there. But with time, people would realize that its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages.
Thus, we commend the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment for the foresight and staging of such an interactive forum.
The participants engaged during the event are the future economists, politicians, lawyers, educationists who will grow to become responsible leaders and guide this great country of ours into the promised land.
Thus, availing them on such an important topic would only sharpen their minds by exposing them to basics on what this ambitious flagship Project of Agenda 2063 Africa’s Development Framework entails.
It is high time we promote intra-African trade for our own growth or continue to lag behind other continents. Exposing our future leaders to some of this important continental agenda, would only expose them, prepare them and make them to be on top of issues.