Opinion

African countries can become global competitors and benefit from African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by investing in critical infrastructure, promoting innovation and technology.     The global economy is currently facing unprecedented challenges, including trade wars, disruptions in transport and logistics systems, shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions…

This year’s African Vaccination Week, commemorated April 24 – 30, and its theme “The Big Catch Up” comes at a very pivotal moment when the continent and the world at large is recovering from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and forging ahead to regain investments made in health systems.    …

Sudan, one of the signatories of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, is facing a violent conflict that could jeopardize its participation in the ambitious trade pact.     Trade under the AfCFTA was launched on January 1, 2021, aimed at creating a single market for goods and…

Karim Bendhaou argues the UHC Delivery Lab launched at the African Health Agenda International Conference in March aligns with Universal Health Coverage Movement’s Action Agenda for collective action to reinvigorate progress toward health for all.     This month, I had the priviledge to return to Kigali, Rwanda after the launch of…

Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, Africa’s import will be significantly reduced, just as domestic processing capacity will be boosted massively, argue Landry Signé Chido Munyati.     Agriculture accounts for roughly one-third of the African continent’s GDP, provides a livelihood for 50% of the population and feeds hundreds…

A pilot trading scheme under AfCFTA rules commenced in July, which involves Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, and Tanzania. A successful pilot would be the biggest assurance yet that AfCFTA will work.     Is Africa’s historic free trade agreement stuck or sailing? When trading under the Africa Continental…

Thanks to the increasing legitimacy of the church among the general population in Africa, the AU should leverage the church’s influence in promoting various policy and institutional initiatives, argues Carole Obure.   In the wake of the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s, evolving European societies wrestled with determining exactly what…

Can Africa learn the lessons of history and work with a much wider range of multilateral partners to help it tackle the challenges of 2023 differently and better?     It is unusual to start off a forecast for the New Year with a reference to nearly 40 years ago,…

The AfCFTA faces challenges, but energy and optimism can carry it through.     The energy and optimism of those working in and around the AfCFTA may be the major reason the AfCFTA stands out from past regional efforts. This seems to mix a revolutionary mentality – “we’re making history”…

Achieving Industrialization in Africa is long overdue! Hence, putting in place all necessary strategies to ensure the continent’s speedy industrialization will help Africa effectively harness its vast natural and mineral resources for the benefit of its over 1.2 billion citizens.     Africa is potentially the world’s richest continent, hence…