The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to create nothing less than the largest free trade area in the world. According to the World Bank, it can unleash massive gains for African economies, usher in incremental reforms that will boost trade across the continent, and bring 30 million people out of extreme poverty. As at May 2022, 43 of the 54 signatories (80%) have deposited their instruments of AfCFTA ratification. While businesses have to learn how the AfCFTA works, the functionality of the state-driven AfCFTA would benefit tremendously from integrating and responding to the advice of traders and entrepreneurs in the years to come.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Office Ethiopia/AU and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) have co-organized a high-level panel discussion on June 16, 2022 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in recognition of the private sector's central role in promoting regional integration, cooperation and ensuring a successful implementation of the AfCFTA. This meeting is also an opportunity to evaluate progress in AfCFTA processes, and what may be needed from a private sector perspective in order to fully harness the AfCFTA.
To follow the discussion online:
https://kas-de.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4K5SeQROTxmyl7250uHOgQ .