Progress on the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area takes center stage at the Conference of Speakers of Africa’s Parliaments

The Chief Executive Officer of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene on September 19, 2024, during the Twelfth Annual Conference of the Speakers of Africa’s Regional and National Parliaments, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the progress of the AfCFTA implementation. The conference, held at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, gathered key African parliamentary leaders to discuss the critical role of legislative bodies in fostering economic integration and cooperation across the continent. In his address, H.E. Mene emphasized the strides made in the trade bloc's development and outlined how parliaments can create an enabling environment through legislative and policy support.

Key Achievements of AfCFTA

H.E. Mene highlighted the significant achievements of the AfCFTA to date, noting that intra-African trade has risen despite global economic challenges. He cited recent data indicating a 3.2% increase in trade among African nations, with intra-African trade reaching $192.2 billion in 2023. This growth underscores the success of initiatives such as the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), which facilitated the movement of goods across member states and expanded participation from 7 to 39 countries. AfCFTA has become a key driver of industrialization, job creation, and regional economic integration.

Additionally, H.E. Mene stressed the importance of the AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, which were adopted in 2023. These protocols aim to promote innovation, economic inclusiveness, and integration into continental value chains.

Role of African Parliaments in Enabling the AfCFTA

In his presentation, H.E. Mene acknowledged the crucial role that African parliaments must play in ensuring the AfCFTA’s success. He urged lawmakers to prioritize the ratification of legal instruments and protocols that are essential for its full implementation. Currently, 54 countries have signed the AfCFTA agreement, with 47 having ratified it. Full ratification remains a critical goal to ensure all member states can benefit from the agreement’s provisions.

He also called on parliaments to focus on funding the AfCFTA’s implementation, urging national governments to allocate resources that will bolster trade and infrastructure development. Parliaments, he said, should facilitate harmonization of trade laws and reduce barriers to the free movement of goods, services, and people across borders.

Contributions from African Speakers During Debates

Following H.E. Mene’s presentation, a robust debate ensued, with several prominent African parliamentary leaders offering insights and recommendations for advancing the AfCFTA’s objectives.

Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe

Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda underscored the need for free movement of persons as a foundation for the free movement of goods and services within the AfCFTA. He stressed that the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, which has only been ratified by four member states, must be swiftly ratified by others to unlock the full potential of the trade area. Without this, he cautioned, the benefits of the free trade area could be undermined by logistical and transportation costs.

He also emphasized the need for synergy in developing transport infrastructure across Africa, noting that high transportation costs will impede the movement of goods. Mudenda urged African leaders to revive the political will of the founders of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union (AU) to foster deeper integration.

Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives

Hon. Benjamin Kalu raised concerns about the overlapping memberships of regional economic blocs within the AfCFTA framework, warning of potential conflicts in jurisdiction. He called for the establishment of clear trade adjustment mechanisms and the coordination of existing trade agreements to avoid fragmentation.

Additionally, Hon. Kalu emphasized the importance of setting timelines for the ratification of key supporting legal instruments, which would enhance the implementation of the AfCFTA across member states. He expressed confidence that through structured legislative action and commitment to timelines, the continent can overcome challenges associated with the coexistence of various trade agreements.

Path Forward: Legislative Support and Cooperation

The success of the AfCFTA depends on the active involvement of African parliaments. H.E. Mene and the African Speakers agreed that parliaments must enact enabling laws to facilitate trade, address infrastructure challenges, and promote regional economic development. Legislative bodies have the power to shape national policies that align with AfCFTA’s goals, ensuring that the agreement serves as a catalyst for Africa’s transformation.

Through coordinated efforts at both national and regional levels, African countries can unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA, fostering an integrated market that strengthens competitiveness, drives industrialization, and improves livelihoods across the continent.

Conclusion

The Twelfth Annual Conference of African Speakers showcased the progress made in the implementation of the AfCFTA while reinforcing the need for parliaments to play a proactive role in its advancement. As the continent moves toward greater economic integration, African parliaments must prioritize legislative actions that support the AfCFTA’s success, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development, legal frameworks, and the free movement of people and goods. With continued cooperation and commitment, the AfCFTA will fulfill its promise of transforming Africa into a thriving, integrated economy capable of competing on the global stage.