Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta says AfCFTA is the lifeline for African economies

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will help the continent overcome some of its pressing economic challenges.

The President, who made his comments during a meeting with AFCTA’s Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area while rallying other African states to work closely with the agency’s secretariat to ensure continental trade arrangements succeed.

He further said the plan would promote people to people interactions which in turn boosts trade in the region.

African leaders, under the African Union (AU) have in the past agreed on a blueprint to tackle the myriad challenges the continent faces. The plan was dubbed Agenda 2063.

It sets out a vision, among others, to end wars on the continent, develop infrastructure, and allow freedom of movement on the continent.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, the world’s largest free trade pact in terms of countries involved, went into force on January 1.

Analysts say full implementation of AfCFTA would reshape markets and economies across the region and boost trade among African nations as well as output in the services, manufacturing, and natural resources sectors.

Cgtn.com