5 Roles of PAP in Accelerating African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is set to play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of commitments related to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) by Member States through their national parliaments. This was emphasized by H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the PAP, during his opening remarks at a Workshop held on the African Union Theme for 2023, “Accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): The Strategic Significance of the Pan-African Parliament.” The workshop was held between May 22 and 23 to define the role of the PAP in accelerating the effective implementation of the landmark trade agreement.

Enhancing Awareness and Advocacy:
According to H.E. Chief Charumbira, the responsibility of implementing the AfCFTA does not solely rest with governments. The PAP is called upon to raise awareness about the agreement and advocate for its ratification and domestication in national legislation. By engaging with national parliaments and the people, the PAP seeks to foster self-reliance and self-sufficiency within Africa, reducing dependency on the West and promoting interdependency among African states. The rallying cry remains “One Africa, One Voice.”

Potential Benefits of AfCFTA:
H.E. Chief Charumbira highlighted the significant potential of AfCFTA to deliver substantial benefits in terms of jobs, economic growth, and poverty reduction. The agreement has the potential to create higher-paid, better-quality jobs, with women experiencing the most significant wage gains. By 2035, wages could rise by 11.2 percent for women and 9.8 percent for men, leading to the escape of 50 million people from extreme poverty and a 9 percent increase in real income. Deep integration under AfCFTA could boost Africa’s exports to the rest of the world by 32 percent and intra-African exports by 109 percent, driven by the expansion of manufactured goods.

Empowering Women and Youth:
Hon. Dao Gabala Mariam, Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disability, asked for focus to be on women and youth and the informal sector when implementing AfCFTA as they are often at the forefront of cross-border trade and run small economies. This point was backed by the PAP President who stressed the importance of focusing on women and youth empowerment initiatives within the framework of AfCFTA. With Africa having the world’s youngest population and over 52 percent of its population being women, including them in all aspects of AfCFTA implementation is vital. To galvanize Africa’s economic growth agenda, women and youth must be at the forefront. The operative mantra should be “Nothing for us without us,” reflecting the commitment to inclusive decision-making and participation.

Accelerating Implementation and Fostering Self-Sufficiency:
Delivering his welcome remarks, Hon. John Bideri, Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters said the year 2023 is a pivotal year for the AfCFTA, as it not only means accelerating the necessary infrastructure and putting in place functional systems, but it also offers the continent an exceptional opportunity to fully activate the existing policy instruments that envision placing youth at the center of the African agenda. Hon. John Bideri further mentioned that the AfCFTA will bring prosperity to Africa.

H.E. Chief Charumbira urged African leaders to speed up the implementation of AfCFTA to foster self-sufficiency and self-reliance. He emphasized the unequal treatment of African leaders on the global stage and commended the decision to demand respect and equal representation for Africa in international discussions. Leveraging AfCFTA becomes crucial to boost intra-African trade and reduce the dependency on the Western world, empowering Africa to have a stronger voice in global affairs.

Support and Collaboration:
Representatives from the African Union, including the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, acknowledged the crucial role played by the PAP in steering the AfCFTA processes. They requested continued support and leadership from the PAP in the implementation of the agreement. Additionally, Dr. Amany Asfour, President of the African Business Council, emphasized the importance of empowering young people in the private sector to achieve economic liberation and a developed Africa. “Let us also put our focus on youths who are in the private sector in our continent. There is more they can bring to the table for AfCFTA to fruition. Youths are the majority in our continent; we need to work with them to get economic liberation,” she said.

In conclusion, the workshop organized by the PAP highlights the pivotal role of the parliament in overseeing the implementation of AfCFTA commitments. By engaging with national parliaments and the public, the PAP aims to promote awareness, advocacy, and domestication of the agreement. The potential benefits of AfCFTA in terms of job creation, economic growth, poverty reduction, and empowerment of women and youth