Business updates

African policy makers, regional economic communities, African business leaders and others participated in a two-day policy dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to map out a strategy for successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The policy dialogue, co-organised by the AU and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA), is a 10-year old development platform for discussions and reflections, for stakeholders to map out a strategy for implementation of the AfCFTA.

It also aims to build knowledge and expertise of all stakeholders on priority trade issues of the AfCFTA; improve regular information flow on trade issues to key stakeholders and suggest a framework for the establishment of AfCFTA national committees; and improve co-ordination among relevant government ministries and agencies including through clear mandates and assigning of responsibilities.

The outcomes of the meeting put forward the elements required to establish an efficient and active continental free trade market, as well as the need for private sector involvement in all stages of the AfCFTA processes to ensure smooth operationalization, implementation and monitoring of the AfCFTA.

The MCCI was represented by its President, Mr. Marday Venkatasamy.