AfCFTA Secretariat signs strategic partnership with UNDP to promote trade

The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed a strategic partnership to promote trade as a stimulus for Africa’s socio-economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis.

The partnership will also serve as a driver of sustainable development, especially for women and youth in Africa, in line with the shared vision of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 for the continent.

A joint statement, released and copied to the Ghana News Agency, by Ms. Faith Adhiambo, of the African Union and Ms. Eve Sabbagh, UNDP Regional Office for Africa, said the deal was sealed by the Secretary General of AfCFTA, Mr. Wamkele Mene, and by the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Director of the UNDP Regional Office for Africa, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa.

“The AfCFTA is beyond an instrument for trade liberalization. It is a catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable development, ”said Mene.

He said: “We need to rebalance Africa’s role in global trade. As African countries implement COVID-19 recovery plans, this collaboration with UNDP will boost momentum, on the ground in AfCFTA states parties, to ensure that women and youth are the primary beneficiaries. of the AfCFTA.

“The partnership will leverage UNDP’s presence in all African countries, working closely with other UN entities, and will include direct support to the AfCFTA Secretariat through a financial grant of $ 3 million. This will strengthen the advocacy of the AfCFTA Secretariat among policy makers, businesses, civil society, academia, youth and other stakeholders.

“UNDP is pleased to support AfCFTA as a development catalyst and accelerator that can move the continent beyond the COVID-19 recovery towards the Africa We Want and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ms. Eziakonwa.

She said: “If we are successful, we will have helped create stronger and more resilient inclusive and green economies in Africa, characterized by increased incomes, jobs, more balanced trade and better returns from the natural resources of Africa. ‘Africa.”

She said the new collaboration aims to tackle inequalities, promote added value and create jobs.

As Africa trades more with itself, it will be essential to target critical barriers encountered when exporting to Africa, such as the competitiveness of SME exports; rules of origin; technical and product safety standards.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, began operations on January 1, 2021, creating a market of 1.2 billion people and the world’s eighth economic bloc with a combined GDP of $ 3 trillion, or is expected to more than double by 2050.
The signing of the partnership is part of a two-day official visit to New York by the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Since its launch, the AfCFTA has been ratified by 36 countries and already owns 90% of tariff offers and 34 service offers, which enables sound business and investment decisions in intra-African trade, thus strengthening action expedited for trade as a means of implementation. for “the Africa we want and for the SDGs”.