FRESH from the Kingdom of Lesotho Double Celebrations of independence and 200 years of nation formation, the Prime Minister Russel Dlamini is now in Rwanda where he is representing His Majesty the King at the 3-day African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) business forum.
The meeting drew heads of state and government together with trade ministers with public and private sector partners seeks to address challenges in unlocking intra-Africa trade.
Addressing the conference plenary, the Prime Minister challenged Africa to expedite the conclusion of negotiations on critical sectors such as automobiles and textiles under the trade treaty.
Delivering the country statement the prime minister declared: “Our convening here in Kigali today for the second edition of the business forum marks a crucial step in our journey towards economic integration in Africa. Reflecting on our path, we recall the historic milestones that have shaped the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
“Despite these accomplishments, Africa accounts for only 3% of global trade & intra-African trade stands at a mere 15%. These figures highlight the immense untapped potential that our continent holds & underscore the urgent need for transformative solutions.”
“Let us move forward together with renewed vigor and a shared commitment to transform the promise of the AfCFTA into tangible prosperity for all Africans,” the Prime Minister said.
While in Rwanda, the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame during which they discussed issues of mutual interest between Rwanda and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Jm/pmo/today/10.10.2024.
