Kenya advocates for enhanced intra-African trade at AfCFTA business forum in Kigali
Kigali, Rwanda – Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Hon. Salim Mvurya, represented President William Ruto at the Second Edition of the AfCFTA Business Forum, ‘Biashara Afrika 2024,’ in Kigali, Rwanda. The forum, hosted by President Paul Kagame, gathered leaders and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss the continent’s economic transformation through increased internal trade.
In his address, Mvurya highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a crucial initiative for the continent’s economic future, noting the political commitment from African nations to implement the agreement. He called attention to the need for integrated systems to tackle existing bottlenecks in intra-African trade, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and the digital economy.
“Kenya is making strides in sustainability, notably through the development of a Green Supplement aimed at fostering green intra-African trade and climate adaptation, especially in the tea and coffee sectors,” Mvurya stated.
Mvurya expressed gratitude to the AfCFTA Secretariat and President Kagame for hosting the event, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the launch of the second phase of the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). He noted that Kenya was one of the first countries to export under the GTI and looks forward to the inclusion of services in this new phase.
Reflecting on Africa’s historical resilience and ingenuity, Mvurya underscored the continent’s potential to revolutionize its economic landscape through the AfCFTA. He pointed out that currently, less than 17 percent of Africa’s exports are intra-continental, a stark contrast to 59 percent in Asia and 69 percent in Europe. This disparity illustrates the untapped potential for growth through enhanced trade and investment.
The forum’s theme—“Dare to Invent the Future”—encouraged participants to envision a continent that produces what it consumes. Mvurya stressed the importance of building industries and value chains that leverage Africa’s abundant resources rather than exporting them as raw materials.
Addressing practical barriers to trade, he highlighted the urgent need for improved transportation infrastructure, reliable energy solutions, and robust digital connectivity across the continent. Mvurya urged collaboration between the government and private sectors to meet the colossal demands for infrastructure and energy development.
CS Mvurya also discussed the intersection of AfCFTA and climate change, pointing out Africa’s vulnerability to climate impacts despite being the least responsible for the phenomenon. He noted that the AfCFTA presents new opportunities for sustainable development, emphasizing the continent’s potential leadership in green technology and climate-smart practices.
He called for strategic coordination to fully realize the AfCFTA’s potential, urging commitment to transforming the agreement from a framework into a dynamic engine for economic growth. He reiterated that the AfCFTA represents a defining challenge for the current generation of Africans, urging them to seize the moment and build a thriving, innovative, and leading continent.
