Official Introduction of the AfroChampions Charter for Economic Integration

Accra, May 28, 2018 - The AfroChampions Initiative and the African Union have started their first roadshow to raise local entrepreneurs’ awareness on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with a meeting in Accra, organized in partnership with the Association of Ghana Industries. Attendees included mostly Ghanaian entrepreneurs, operating in the manufacturing sector which should be boosted by the free movement of goods, services and people expected to result from the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.

"We are very pleased with these discussions with the Ghanaian business community," said His Excellency Albert Muchanga, AU’s Commissioner for Trade and Industry. "While we were able to present the opportunities offered by free movement of goods and services on the continent and the end of tariff and non-tariff barriers, we also received many questions and comments on the best schedule of actions to implement AfCFTA’s protocols, challenges relating to the simplification of customs procedures or logistical infrastructures. This will inform our future reflections during the implementation phase of the AfCFTA agreement and we thank AGI for its support," he added.

Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyam fi, President of the AGI, was pleased that "the roadshow started in Ghana, which, is, along with Kenya, the first country that deposited instruments to ratify the AfCFTA agreement". For him, "it is very important that the African Union can receive suggestions from the private sector to ensure that the future AfCFTA is one that is aligned with the realities of the companies already involved in cross-border trade. We are happy to contribute to this dialogue between public decision-makers and economic players, which is a fairly new approach on our continent ".

Speaking on behalf of the AfroChampions Initiative, which designed and financed this awareness-raising roadshow, Mr Kuseni Dlamini, Chairman of Massmart and member of the AfroChampions Club, highlighted "the structuring role of intra-African trade for the development of the continent" and presented the AfroChampions Charter for African economic integration. "This Charter, developed by our team and with the support of the members of the Club AfroChampions, aims to translate the AfCFTA Agreement into positive actions: the signatories will thus commit to investing primarily on the continent, in sectors that are strategic for our economies, while developing African skills and helping Africa become a driver of global growth. "

After Ghana, the roadshow will continue in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and the Republic of Guinea until May 31, 2018; more tours are planned throughout this year in other regions of the continent, to mobilize local entrepreneurs but also to accompany the AfCFTA ratification process.