AfCFTA implementation on AU Summit agenda

By Ntombi Mhlongo

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to top on the agenda at the 36th ordinary African Union Summit which will take place between Wednesday and Sunday.

Other topical issues that will be part of discussions include coups in West Africa, upcoming elections, conflict on the continent and the war in Ukraine.

The meeting affords African leaders a chance to assess the AU’s readiness to confront the numerous internal and external challenges the continent faces in the year ahead. Already, some African presidents have, through their presidential spokespersons, confirmed that they will attend the much anticipated 36th AU Summit in Ethiopia.

One of those whose attendance has been confirmed is South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa will chair the AU Peace and Security Summit on the political situation in the Eastern DRC.

Magwenya said: “the President indicated that our focus will be on collaboration on sustainable development, the just energy transition, industrialisation and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. South Africa, together with our neighbours in the Southern African Customs Union, will soon finalise our industrial offer on the African Continental Free Trade Area”.

“Once fully operationalised, the Continental Free Trade will provide an unprecedented opportunity to deepen African economic integration, grow national economies, and open up new frontiers and markets for South African companies,” he added.

The gathering of continental leaders will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the African Union (AU) in 2002, which is the successor of the OAU.