Accra, 11 August 2022 (TDI): Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA i.e. African Continental Free Trade Area met with the Managing Directors and CEOs of the prominent media channels.
These include the Finder Newspaper, Daily Dispatch, as well as the Fourth State Media platforms. The purpose of the meeting was to inaugurate strong working relations with private and public media.
Today, H.E. @MeneWamkele is hosting a breakfast meeting with media leaders in Ghana which include the Managing Directors, CEOs and Editors-in-chief of the nation’s most prominent media channels. The purpose is to brief them on the #AfCFTA and to establish a working relationship. pic.twitter.com/MfSBJPTSzI
— AfCFTA Secretariat Official (@AfCFTA) August 9, 2022
Moreover, the meeting aimed to highlight the critical role media can play in the unification of Africa into one African market.
While discussing the meeting’s agenda, the Secretary-General highlighted the progress of specifically the trade rules. The most significant of these trade rules are the rules of origin which generally deal with moving merchandise across borders.
African Continental Free Trade Area
The African Continental Free Trade Area is an agreement that entered into force on 30 May 2019. It is a trade pact that seeks to create a single market for the 24 African countries. For about 1.3 billion people across Africa, it aims to enforce economic integration.
Also read: AfCFTA-UK Relation to move Forward
It is projected to raise 30 million people over the line of abject poverty. The main goal is to boost Africa’s income by 7 percent while adding $76 Billion to the global economy.
The trade rules highlighted in the meeting are believed to potentially counter the smuggling issues in Africa. While discussing the textile industry, Wamkele Mene mentioned the ongoing debate on its liberalization.
According to him, with many states coming together for negotiation on the trade rules the situation could be difficult due to their own differences. He also mentioned some of the initiatives AfCFTA has launched so far.
This includes the establishment of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank. This system allows transactions from all across Africa boosting trade within the continent.
Student of International Relations at Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore. A Cinephile and a history enthusiast who looks forward to learn new and interesting things everyday!
