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Botswana eyes AfCFTA breakthrough

Making history: Presidentm Masisi signing onto the AfCFTA in Addis Ababa in 2019. Most African countries have ratified it PIC: BW GOVT FACEBOOK
Making history: Presidentm Masisi signing onto the AfCFTA in Addis Ababa in 2019. Most African countries have ratified it PIC: BW GOVT FACEBOOK

Local trade negotiators believe they have found solutions that can resolve a four-year stalemate that has kept Botswana as one of a handful of countries yet to ratify the African Continent Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

AfCFTA, which came into operation last year, is an African Union trade deal that grants easier access to the continent’s 1.2 billion people who collectively represent a market valued at more than $2.6 trillion.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi signed onto the AfCFTA in 2019 making Botswana the 51st of 54 African nations to agree in principle to the continental trade deal. Since then Botswana has been hammering out the modalities of the deal both as a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and at the African Union level.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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