Browsing: AfCFTA

There’s no need to fuss. And I’m pleased that not one of the high-profile seers involved has, so far, tried to make any excuses or to defend themselves. There’s nothing to defend, really, other than to swallow the humble pie, flush it down with a warm glass of lemonade and move on.

Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Christopher Yaluma, disclosed at a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday that the official launch of the AfCFTA will take place at a virtue event which will be graced by the African Union Chairperson and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and Ghana’s President, Nana Akuffo Addo.

The World Bank said in a recent report that 60 per cent of African countries are likely to see increased agricultural employment by 2035 thanks to AfCFTA, and wages for unskilled workers are expected to grow faster in these nations. While some countries will gravitate towards other sectors in which they have competitive advantages, North African states will shift more towards manufacturing and services.  Many in sub-Saharan Africa are well placed to become food production hubs, thanks in part to favourable climates.

Akinwuntan in his remark at an event in Lagos, pointed out that the pan-African bank was set up primarily for the economic integration and development of Africa, stressing that the bank was ready to deploy its capacity, platform and network to achieve the AfCFTA objectives.