The acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Antonio Pedro, has urged African nations to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to become more resilient and globally competitive.

"Only through an accelerated and effective implementation of the AfCFTA can Africa build sufficient shock absorbers to build resilience,” Pedro said at the 42nd ordinary session of the AU Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15.

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Launched in 2019 to establish a unified market of 1.3 billion people and a GDP of around $3.4 trillion, the AfCFTA is poised to become the world’s largest free trade area with 55 member states.

Pedro deplored the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war caused a state of crisis, pushing 55 million people below the poverty line and exacerbating inequalities.

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High global inflation has also led to tighter financial conditions.

Pedro said despite Africa's economic growth of 3.9% in 2023 and 2024, more still needs to be done to compensate for the losses experienced in the past three years.

The Acting Executive Secretary pointed out that by fast-tracking the implementation of the AfCFTA, Africa can provide solutions to the global challenges of supply chain disruptions, food insecurity, climate change, and migration.

Highlighting that the AfCFTA provides the economy of scale to invest in manufacturing and increased intra-Africa trade, Pedro said the free trade area would bring supply chains closer to home and inject self-sufficiency in essential products such as medicines, food and fertilizers.

"By providing more opportunities for women and the youth, the AfCFTA helps reduce inequality and poverty, and improves inclusion,” he said.

Pedro highlighted two challenges that require immediate attention – ratification and implementation - and appealed to the 10 African countries that have not yet ratified the agreement to do so soon.

Commenting on resource-based industrialization, Pedro said this should focus on value addition, smart operationalisation of local content policies, and tapping into global value chains.

He cited the Battery and Electric Vehicle (BEV) sector as one that could enable the continent to tap into a global value expected to reach $8.8 trillion in the next three years and $46 trillion by 2050. The ECA is supporting the BEV value chain with "strong political will from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia,” said Pedro.

The ECA is also partnering with stakeholders to support the transboundary agro-industry park and special economic zone involving Zambia and Zimbabwe, which could address food security concerns and tap into Africa's food import market valued at about $90 billion per year.

Pedro pledged ECA’s continued support and collaboration with the African Union and other stakeholders to transform Africa into a globally competitive investment destination.