President of the Republic, H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, met with H.E. Mr. Mene Wamkele, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan-Plateau on Monday, 26 July 2021, to discuss the challenges associated with implementing this significant continental project.
"Our meeting with President Ouattara focused on the challenges of implementing the AfCFTA and the issues facing the institution. Only 40 countries have ratified the AfCFTA agreement, and much work remains to be done," said Mene Wamkele following the audience at the presidential palace.
The decision to establish the AfCFTA was made by the African heads of state during the 18th session of the African Union (AU) conference in January 2012. The agreement, signed by 54 countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, on 13 November 2018, aims to create a single market for goods, services, and the movement of people, thereby deepening the continent’s economic integration. This objective aligns with the pan-African vision of an “integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa” outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Fatoumata Fofana, Executive Secretary of the AfCFTA-NC, highlighted the promise that the AfCFTA holds. "It is a vast market that provides access to 1.3 billion African consumers, including Ivorians. It presents opportunities to create jobs, attract foreign direct investment into the national economy, enhance business competitiveness, and lower the cost of inputs," she stated.
In support of these objectives, the AfCFTA-NC is conducting a roadshow of public and private administrations to raise awareness of the institution's benefits and promote understanding of its potential impact.
(AIP)