Speed up AfCFTA's implementation, trade experts say

Speaking at a trade forum in Dakar, Senegal, AfCFTA secretary general, Wamkele Mene said the pandemic had, for the first time in 25 years, caused a contraction of GDP of between two to five percent in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This decline will manifest itself in reduced exports and loss of employment, amongst other challenges,” Mene said. “However, it is projected that the implementation of the AfCFTA will boost intra-Africa trade by $35 to billion, increase value-chain development across all sectors, enhance the competitiveness of industry and reduce the trade deficit by 50%.”