By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Secretary-General of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene, has begun a
high-level mission to Gabon aimed at advancing the country's participation in
the continental single market and translating its AfCFTA commitments into
tangible trade and economic opportunities.
During his sixth visit to
Gabon, Mene held separate meetings with the country's Vice-President of the
Government, Herman Immongault, and the Minister of Commerce, SMEs and Youth
Entrepreneurship, H.E. Zenaba Gninga Channing, to discuss strategies for deepening
Gabon's integration into the African single market.
The discussions with
Vice-President Immongault focused on identifying priority export and import
sectors, expanding regional market access for Gabonese products, and
accelerating the country's transition from a commodity-dependent economy to one
driven by value addition and industrial processing.
Gabon ratified the AfCFTA
Agreement in 2019 and has since established its national implementation
committee, adopted its tariff offer, and submitted its commitments under the
services protocol. The visit seeks to support the next phase of implementation by
ensuring that these policy commitments translate into increased trade and
economic growth.
In talks with Minister
Channing, attention turned to the practical benefits of the AfCFTA for
businesses, entrepreneurs and young people. Discussions explored how access to
the continental market can create new commercial opportunities, stimulate job
creation and encourage local production and enterprise development.
The AfCFTA, which connects
more than 1.4 billion consumers across Africa, is regarded as the world's
largest free trade area by number of participating countries. For Gabonese
businesses, the agreement presents opportunities to expand beyond domestic and
regional markets and participate more actively in intra-African trade.
The meetings established the
political framework for the Secretary-General's visit, which is expected to
continue with engagements involving private sector stakeholders. Discussions
with business leaders will focus on understanding the challenges and opportunities
faced by companies engaged in cross-border trade and identifying measures to
strengthen Gabon's role within the continental market.
The AfCFTA Secretariat said
the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to support member states in
implementing the agreement and unlocking the economic benefits of deeper
regional integration across Africa.
