Government leaders have lauded the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact, saying it opens up the opportunities for the African continent as a trade bloc. Industrialization Cabinet secretary Adan Mohamed said the coming together of Africa’s Heads of State to sign the deal is the beginning of the journey to bring African states together as one economic bloc. President Uhuru Kenyatta joined other African leaders in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Heads of State and Government summit on Wednesday morning where they signed the AfCFTA treaty that advocates for a continental free trade area.
The treaty seeks to establish a single market that will spur industrialization, infrastructural development, economic diversification and trade. Key facets of the treaty include the creation of a single liberalized market for goods and services, facilitated by free movement of people in order to deepen the economic integration of the African continent. Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma who was also present in Rwanda in preparation for the signing of the treaty noted the market will be open for everybody, “It’s also an opportunity we are creating for the Kenyan business, for the Kenyan private sector and the Kenyan entrepreneur. The theatre is now the continent,” she said.
The PS for International Trade Dr. Chris Kiptoo said it will be easier to do business across the continent, adding that the LAPSSET (Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport corridor) project will benefit greatly since it connects Kenya to South Sudan and may even reach further.
President Kenyatta was received at the Kigali International Airport by Kenya High Commissioner to Rwanda Ambassador John Mwangemi and senior government officials from Rwanda on Wednesday morning.
