“We have found in Ambassador Albert Muchanga a leader with a clear vision, tenacity and rigor and on behalf of my generation, who believe in the future of Africa, it is an honor to present the Champion of Trade award to His Excellency” said Toyin Umesiri, CEO Nazaru LLC. and Founder of the Trade with Africa Business Summit.
In receiving the Champion of Trade Award, Commissioner Muchanga noted that the achievement was the result of a teamwork under the Leadership of the Champion of the AfCFTA process, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. In addition, He emphasized the dedication of staff from the Department of Trade and Industry, the collaboration with other Departments within the AU Commission and more important, the unwavering political commitment from AU Member States and the role played by key development partners. While attending the event H.E. Ambassador Muchanga also delivered a keynote address on the African Continental Free Trade Area covering three main points which were; the AfCFTA and the opportunities it brings to investors and traders, the current status of implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and the point on what lies beyond the launch of the operational phase of AfCFTA that was held in Niamey, Niger on the 7th July, 2019.
“By creating one African market, we are transforming the African landscape by creating a large market of 1.27 billion people (expected to be 1.7 billion in the next eleven years) with a growing middle of 350 million (which will reach 600 million in 2030). This provides an opportunity for economies of scale, large scale and long term investments. Arising from this, the basic incentive for businesses operating in the AfCFTA is that they will face huge and attractive opportunities”, he emphasized. The AfCFTA Agreement provides a framework for legal certainty and predictability, which is critical for trade and investment.
