The Pan-African Parliament has urged African countries to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, saying it has moved beyond ambition to practical implementation.
The call followed the presentation of a report on Wednesday by deputy chairperson of the committee on trade, customs and immigration matters, John Bideri, after an assessment mission to Ghana on the implementation of the AfCFTA guided trade initiative.
The report commended Ghana for progress in implementing the trade agreement, expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and advancing regional economic integration.
The committee also called for harmonised trade standards, simplified customs and border procedures, stronger support for SMEs, women and youth traders and the modernisation of one-stop border posts.
“The AfCFTA is now moving from ambition to implementation,” Bideri said.
He said removing trade barriers and facilitating the free movement of people remain critical to driving Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation.
The first ordinary session of the seventh legislature of the Pan-African Parliament across the continent started on 27 July and concludes on 1 August, in South Africa.
