AWTN and AfCFTA Secretariat partner to boost intra-regional trade
The Africa World Trade Network (AWTN), a coalition of civil society organisations and trade unions, have collaborated with the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to accelerate intra-regional investment.
The cooperation seeks to mobilise private sector actors across Africa to drive the attainment of strategic objectives that underpin the AfCFTA agreement through exhibitions, meetings and events.
The partnership is premised on the continent’s developmental agenda and speaks to the new ‘Africa Beyond Aid Agenda’.
In the wake of the AfCFTA, the cooperation also seeks to creatively leverage Africa’s diverse resources by proposing a new continental approach to trade solutions through partnerships, events and networking.
The two partners would work towards three common objectives that support continental trade and investment promotions across Africa and promote the overall objectives of the AfCFTA agreement.
They would thus co-organise and host forums that support continental trade and investment promotions in Africa.
The collaboration would also support the growth and development of Africa’s commercial community and collaborate on matters of common interest, in the pursuance of enhancing intra-trade on the continent.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the board chair of AWTN Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, said the intra-regional trade promises a real win for Africa.
He added that with the AfCFTA Secretariat at the forefront of this significant progress in the continent’s history, the trade agreement would be the second Pan-African victory after independence.
“The Africa World Trade Network on its part has recognised this watershed moment and will act as a catalyst to boost trade relations among member states and businesses across the continent,” he said.
Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI emphasised that like the AfCFTA Secretariat, AWTN is headquartered in Accra, which has been recognised as a beacon for transformative development in the subregion.
“In this partnership, AWTN commits to initiate and escalate innovative programmes to mobilise investment opportunities that will enhance sustainable trade across Africa as envisioned by the AfCFTA,” he noted.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the AfCFTA is effectively implemented such that there is shared and inclusive economic growth.
He observed that “after many years of talks and negotiations, we are now focussed on rolling out the AfCFTA across the continent, and identify young Africans and women in the trade as segments of society that must benefit from the implementation of the agreement.”
The AfCFTA Secretary-General further stated, “it is Africa’s time, and through the AfCFTA we have a unique opportunity to turn a new page on Africa’s economic development and growth trajectory”.
Mr Mene indicated that it was important for stakeholders to enhance the platforms of engagement between the public and private sectors in the realisation of the objectives of the intra-regional free trade agreement.
“It is for this reason that partnerships such as this between the private sector, government and developmental institutions are needed to help collaborate and find solutions to our daily challenges,” he said.
About AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and a blueprint for attaining inclusive and sustainable development across the continent over the next 50 years.
The agreement is to eliminate or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers among the 54 countries that agreed to be members of the bloc by providing a single market for goods and services.
The movement of persons facilitates this in order to deepen the economic integration and prosperity and boost Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening the continent’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.
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