AfCFTA remains Africa’s ambitious plan to prosperity even in midst of COVID-19

Abstract

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is still the agreement with great potential to foster regional economic integration and economic growth, and take Africa to the next level, even in the midst of a crippling coronavirus crisis, panelists on a COVID-19 Recovery Mechanism and AfCFTA webinar agreed Thursday. The panelists agreed the AfCFTA was a crucial move towards removing the continent’s heavy reliance on commodity and agricultural exports leading to exponential growth in the manufacturing sector, export diversification and creation of quality jobs if its full potential to be transformational for all Africans is tapped. Panelists agreed chambers of commerce on the continent have a great role to play in facilitating trade and ensure African nations traded with each other. The webinar was organized by the KNCCI in partnership with the ECA and the Great Lakes Region Private Sector Forum.