AfCFTA: AU-IBAR convenes continental forum on intra-African livestock trade

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The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources` (AU-IBAR) has hosted a 3-day continental forum themed: “Accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global animal commodity market,” aimed at promoting dialogue on intra-African livestock trade amongst AU member states, for the successful operationalization of the Africa Continental Free Agreement (AfCTFA).

According to a statement signed by the director of the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Professor Ahmed Elsawalhy, the continental forum was held under the framework of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) in Accra, Ghana, between December 11 -13, adding that it would serve as an entry point for promoting Africa`s livestock trade within the framework of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Thus the AU-IBAR forum was a platform for updating and sharing information amongst stakeholders engaged in animal commodity trade and related activities on the AfCFTA, as part of efforts aimed at speeding up the process of accelerating intra-African trade against the backdrop of the start of trading in the AfCFTA market officially scheduled for 1 July 2020.

“There is a need for strong coordination amongst state actors and between various stakeholders on the implementation of the AfCFTA. Thus, to operationalize the AfCFTA, there needs to be a common understanding amongst various government institutions, private sector, civil society organizations, partners and other stakeholders which have a part to play in promoting the AfCFTA on how the AfCFTA will be practically implemented amongst state actors,” adds the statement.

The African livestock sector is said to contribute between 30% – 80% of the continent`s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and has the potential to improve agriculture and enhance socio-economic development, as envisioned in the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods – aimed at a more targeted approach to achieving the agricultural vision of the continent, based on shared prosperity and improved livelihoods.