Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat, declared on Thursday that the organization would prioritize intraregional agricultural trade in a bid to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and achieve regional food security. Mene made this announcement during his opening remarks at the 7th African Leadership Forum held in Accra, Ghana. He emphasized the urgent need to reverse the continent’s food import bill by leveraging its vast arable lands to become self-sufficient in food production.
Despite Africa’s immense potential for agricultural output, the continent continues to rely heavily on food imports. The demand for essential commodities like cereals, meat, dairy products, fats, oils, and sugar consistently surpasses domestic supply. Mene expressed his concern regarding the prevailing situation and highlighted the fact that intra-African agricultural trade currently stands at less than 20 percent, whereas Europe and Asia boast figures exceeding 60 percent.
To combat this challenge, Mene stressed that continental and regional trade integration would play a pivotal role in redirecting the trajectory of Africa’s agricultural sector. He urged African leaders to accelerate measures aimed at dismantling barriers that hinder intra-African trade in agricultural produce and products. Additionally, he called for increased investment in agro-processing and climate-resilient agriculture to promote food security and sustainability on the continent.
The two-day African Leadership Forum, themed “Promoting intra-African trade to unlock agricultural potential in Africa,” provided a platform for former and current African leaders to convene and engage in meaningful discussions centered around addressing crucial challenges faced by the continent.
In his address, Mene outlined the key objectives that the AfCFTA secretariat aims to achieve through prioritizing intraregional agricultural trade. The first and foremost goal is to ensure Africa’s self-sufficiency in food production by harnessing the abundant arable lands available. By reducing reliance on food imports, African nations can bolster their food security and enhance their ability to withstand external shocks.
Moreover, boosting intra-African agricultural trade will foster economic growth and development by creating new opportunities for farmers, agro-processors, and other stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. It will also contribute to poverty reduction and job creation, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is a vital source of income and employment.
Mene stressed the importance of leveraging the AfCFTA as a vehicle for trade facilitation, harmonisation of regulations, and the removal of trade barriers. By streamlining customs procedures, reducing tariffs, and eliminating non-tariff barriers, the AfCFTA can pave the way for seamless trade and enable African nations to capitalize on their comparative advantages in agricultural production.
To support these efforts, Mene called for increased investment in agro-processing industries. Developing robust agro-processing capabilities will enable African countries to add value to their agricultural products, improve their competitiveness in global markets, and create higher-paying jobs in the sector. Furthermore, investing in climate-resilient agriculture is crucial to mitigate the impact of climate change on food production and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
The AfCFTA’s commitment to prioritizing intra-regional agricultural trade has significant implications for Africa’s food security and economic growth. By reducing dependence on food imports, African nations can enhance their self-sufficiency in food production and build resilience against external shocks. Increased intra-African trade in agricultural goods will not only improve food security but also stimulate economic development, alleviate poverty, and generate employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
The 7th African Leadership Forum served as a platform for African leaders to engage in meaningful discussions and exchange ideas on unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential through intra-African trade. The event underscored the importance of collective action and collaboration to address the pertinent challenges facing the continent.
As the AfCFTA moves forward with its commitment to prioritize intra-regional agricultural trade, it is poised to play a crucial role in transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape. By harnessing the continent’s agricultural potential, dismantling trade barriers, and investing in value-added processing and climate-resilient agriculture, Africa can chart a path towards sustainable food security, economic growth, and a brighter future for its people.
