ECOWAS has said that the expected entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would remove barriers to trade, offer new opportunities to economic operators and build the region’s common market.
The commission’s President, Mr Jean-Claude Brou said this in a message to the staff members of ECOWAS institutions to commemorate the 44th Anniversary of the regional bloc on Tuesday in Abuja.
The AfCFTA is a trade agreement between 49 African Union member states, with the goal of creating a single market followed by free movement and a single-currency union.
It was signed in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 21, 2018 with ratification by 22 countries required for the agreement to enter into force and the Continental Free Trade Area to become effective.
The agreement will enter into force on May 30, following the ratification by Saharawi Republic on April 29.
The African Union and African Ministers of Trade would then finalise work on supporting instruments to facilitate the launch of the operational phase of the AfCFTA during the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State on July 7.
The agreement also seeks to create the largest trade zone in the world, increase trade among African countries by 52 per cent and remove tariffs on 90 per cent of goods.
Brou said that the bloc had made “clear progress” in the free movement of persons and goods but charged member states to fight against “illegal obstacles” to the creation of a regional common market.
“Unfortunately, obstacles and barriers remain, hampering trade and slowing down wealth and job creation.
“We must fight against all illegal obstacles and make our Community a true common market.
“The imminent entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area will also offer new opportunities to economic operators in the region.”
The commission’s president also identified insecurity as a major challenge to the attainment of integration in the region and offered condolences to bereaved families of countries concerned.
He also urged member states to “collectively” address the scourges of terrorism and extremism, adding that they “are not limited by borders”.
“They pose a real danger to our region and will spare no country in their wake.”
“The Heads of State and Government actively discuss the matter and the commission is making every effort in that regard, under the authority of our leaders and in accordance with their guidelines,” he added.
He also reaffirmed commitment of the commission, and all heads of institutions, to contribute to the actualisation of the Vision 2020 of an ECOWAS of People.
Also, at the ongoing session of the ECOWAS Parliament, the Speaker of the parliament, Mr Moustapha Cisse Lo, said the legislature was committed to collaborate with the commission to promote integration.
“ECOWAS has made giant strides in the integration of the region through the various protocols.
“The parliament is committed to collaborate with the commission to ensure that the protocol of free movement of persons and goods, security and peaceful co-existence of the people is improved on,” Lo promised.
ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975 in Lagos on the signing of the Founding Treaty by the Heads of State and Government.
While the original objectives were essentially economic, the revision of the Treaty on July 24, 1993 enhanced ECOWAS’ role, particularly with regard to political, peace and security cooperation in the region.
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