PAP Bureau meets with AU Commissioner for Trade

Members of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) who are currently at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa in preparation for the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU, has met with H.E. Albert M. Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry.

The working meeting explored synergies to promote the AU theme of the year 2023 as the 36th AU Summit is expected to officially declare “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation” as the Union's focus for this year.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s core mandate is to support the AU in boosting intra-African trade, fast track establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ensure Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy. It supports Africa’s transformation by promoting diversification and the modernization of production structures.

The PAP delegation led by H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira briefed the Commissioner on the different activities lined up by the Continental Parliament to contribute to the AU’s efforts to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA. African Parliamentarians are expected to play a decisive role in the sensitization of the African citizenry and monitoring of the progress with regard to this highly important agreement. One of the key functions of the PAP is to facilitate and oversee the implementation of AU policies, objectives and programmes.

Under Rule 26(15) of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament as amended, the Committee on Trade, Customs and Industry oversees the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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