African Legislators key to full operationalization of the AfCFTA
African Legislators are key to AfCFTA full operation says Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His Excellency Wamkele Mene. Image courtesy of Pan-African Parliament media
The Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His Excellency Wamkele Mene has submitted that it is important for African legislators, individually and collectively, to contribute meaningfully towards the vision of fostering mutually beneficial continental and regional integration, enhanced market access, and good governance to spur intra-African trade.
Mene was presenting at the first Statutory Sittings of the Pan-African Parliament Permanent Committees for 2023 in Midrand South Africa under the topic: “Unpacking the AU theme for 2023 and the role of the PAP in implementing AFCFTA.” On the other hand, the PAP Committees Sitting convened under the African Union 2023 theme of the year “The Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation”, which Mene observed it portrays determination to stay tuned to the times and resolve and commitment to work towards the realization of this momentous flagship project of the AU.
The AfCFTA Secretary General said the topic, “Unpacking the AU theme for 2023 and the Role of the PAP in implementing the AfCFTA,” is most opportune and relevant as the continent gears up to commemorate the Year of 3 the AfCFTA, as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Meanwhile, his presentation was aimed at guiding Committees’ deliberations and plans to key into the continental agenda for the benefit of the African citizenry and achievement of the aspirations and goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063.
STATE OF PLAY OF THE AfCFTA
Speaking on the state of play of the AfCFTA, Mene told Honourable Members of the PAP that significant progress has been made in the implementation of the AfCFTA, since its establishment in March 2018. “To date, 47 Member States have ratified the AfCFTA agreement, out of which 46 have deposited their instruments of ratification to the Chairperson of the AUC making them State Parties with rights and obligations under the agreement,” he announced.
According to Mene, implementation of the Agreement is also progressing in phases as envisioned; while legal instruments covering the Phase I protocols on trade in goods, trade in services, and dispute settlement mechanism entered into force on 30 May 2019, he said.
He said there are four outstanding negotiations on key instruments — rules of origin and schedules of tariff concessions, as well as specific commitments on services — for trade in goods and services under the AfCFTA.
