Will #COVID19 derail the #AfCFTA's start of trading? A timely input, now circulating, from @AfroChampions: "We make recommendations to salvage and keep the AfCFTA on track".
A thread:
A thread:
"A continent that was looking forward to opening its borders to a new trade revolution starting July 2020, now has almost all of its borders shut in order to fight the pandemic. What will happen to the #AfCFTA? Will COVID19 worsen countries preparedness, commitment to AfCFTA?"
"The highly anticipated July 2020 start of AfCFTA trading timeline is at risk in light of the above. COVID-19 firefighting means there is significantly reduced attention span for AfCFTA issues among governments, policymakers and the private sector."
Recommendations: AfCFTA negotiations should continue via online and video-conferencing platforms. If done right, virtual negotiations could prove to be even faster and cheaper than face to face meetings for certain aspects of the negotiations process.
July 2020 for start of AfCFTA trading should not be postponed even if pandemic persists into July. If AfCFTA trading can take off in the middle of this battle - even if symbolically - it will send a strong signal; a symbolic victory for Africa in the midst of a crisis.
Initial AfCFTA trade can focus on critical goods needed to fight the pandemic, such as pharmaceuticals and food products. Governments should ease border crossings for these goods. The AfCFTA can be one of Africa’s main weapons to beat COVID19.
The AfCFTA Secretariat, which is temporarily operating out of Addis Ababa, should continue with its staff recruitment and operationalize a fully functional virtual office with newly recruited teams working virtually from their homes across the continent. @MeneWamkele
The AU should convene a major virtual meeting of African trade ministers to deliberate on ways to keep the AfCFTA on track. A fully virtual mode of meetings should be activated to keep the process going.
Final @AfroChampions recommendation: "We urge AU President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint Special AfCFTA Envoys to assist the AfCFTA Secretary-General to coordinate with governments towards salvaging and keeping the process on track." @PresidencyZA
Here is a different view. Appiah Kusi Adomako, West Africa regional director of CUTS International, argues the case for a postponement myjoyonline.com/business/econo…
African Union Commission, @afreximbank, @AfroChampions, @ECA_OFFICIAL: use the #AfCFTA to develop domestic, regional and continental supply chains in driving post-COVID19 economic recovery au.int/en/pressreleas…
Use this link: au.int/en/pressreleas…
