The State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation, Evelyn Anite, has urged African nations to speak and act with one voice under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as the continent’s most powerful tool for economic transformation.
Speaking at the African Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Anite said the AfCFTA, which represents 1.4 billion people across 55 nations, gives Africa unmatched collective bargaining power in the global market.
“When we speak and act together, we can redefine our place in the global economy and ensure it works for African jobs, growth and shared prosperity,” she stated.
Her remarks come as African leaders push to deepen intra-African trade and attract greater foreign investment under the AfCFTA framework.
The agreement, launched in 2021, aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods traded within the continent and create the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries.
Analysts say Anite’s comments reflect growing consensus among African policymakers that unity is crucial if the continent is to move from being a raw material supplier to a global manufacturing and innovation hub.
With Africa’s combined GDP projected to surpass $3.4 trillion under the AfCFTA, Anite emphasized that solidarity and coordinated policy action will be key to unlocking the continent’s full economic potential.
