Facing Africa: Detailing Strategic Partnerships Fostering Trade Unification (AfCFTA Secretariat)
Fast-tracking Intra-Africa Trade: The AfCFTA Secretariat's Strategic Partnerships
Turning up the heat on intra-African trade, the AfCFTA Secretariat is fueled by a slew of strategic partnerships and alliances with like-minded organizations. According to Ms. Grace Khoza, principal communications advisor at the Secretariat, these partnerships are the lifeline to swiftly executing their core mission of facilitating smooth trade within Africa.
"It ain't a one-man show, homie. We can't do this by ourselves. We need our strategic partners and key stakeholders, and frankly, they've been more than willing to tag along with us on this journey," she remarks.
Ms. Khoza proceeds to name a few of the alliances they've forged. The powerhouse African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is instrumental in helping the Secretariat transform Africa's economic landscape. They collaborate on trade financing and infrastructure development, taking advantage of opportunities to expand regional value chains in crucial sectors like automotive and agri-business, enhancing inclusive growth, industrialization, and diversifying intra-African trade.
The African Union Commission (AUC) is another cornerstone partner, providing a continental political framework that aligns with the AfCFTA's objectives to promote integration and cooperation among member states.
"Evaluating partnerships like these isn't rocket science, my friend. We're keeping it simple: shared values, operating on the African continent, and a strong commitment to mutual benefits under the AfCFTA agreement. Our existing relationships are the solid proof that these partnerships pay off," elaborates Khoza.
Aside from Afreximbank and the AUC, the Secretariat has secured partnerships with other strategic institutions that share the mandate of amplifying continental trade. These include the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which bolsters the Secretariat's capacity building and policy coordination efforts, and Intellectual Property (IP) institutions that work to harmonize IP rules across Africa.
This year, the Secretariat has achieved significant milestones, such as launching the cross-border digital payments infrastructure, ramping up negotiations on various protocols, and witnessing the eagerness of key actors to kick off trade. The highlights of these achievements include the launch of the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS), which signals a promising start to the activation year and the commencement of trading under AfCFTA.
"The time for talking is over, my fellow Africans. It's time to get cracking and make things happen. With partners like these, the path ahead looks brighter than ever!" concludes Ms. Khoza.
[1] United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2021). Capacity Building Workshops for AfCFTA Implementation. Available at: https://uneca.org/publications/capacity-building-workshops-afcfta-implementation
[2] All Africa Intellectual Property Summit (2021). AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights. Available at: https://www.aaips.org/afcfta-protocol-on-intellectual-property-rights/
[3] African Export-Import Bank (2021). Intra-African Trade Fair. Available at: https://afreximbank.com/iatf/
[4] African Union Commission (2021). AfCFTA Secretariat. Available at: https://au.int/en/organs/afcfta-secretariat
[5] AfCFTA Secretariat (2021). Progress Report. Available at: https://au.int/en/sites/default/files/documents/36782-progres_report_may_2021_en.pdf
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has partnered with the AfCFTA Secretariat to bolster their capacity building and policy coordination efforts, aiming for more effective African trade facilitation.
The AfCFTA Secretariat's collaborative efforts extend to IP institutions that strive for harmonized IP rules across Africa, promoting trade growth and fostering business development within the continent.
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