The Africa Prosperity Dialogues, is uniquely designed to offer a strategic and trusted annual platform to drive intra-African trade. It is a platform where the highest political and business decision makers in Africa, discourse and come out with clear, actionable initiatives to enhance trade and prosperity in Africa, aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063.

This year’s dialogue is themed “ AfCFTA: From Ambition to Action, Delivering Prosperity Through Continental Trade”.

Speaking on a Panel discussion on “Facilitating the Free Movement of People Across Boarders”, Hon. Herbert Krapa– Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry said there should be a political momentum to the ratification of the protocol on free movement of persons. It is highly important because without it, trading under AfCFTA will be confronted with a lot of challenges. The AfCFTA Secretariat should lead the way to get at least 15 member states to ratify the agreement. In the mean time, “low hanging fruits” such as Visa on arrival should be facilitated effectively, he added.

Closing the 2 day event (26-27th Jan. 2023) the Caretaker Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor emphasised the need for African Leaders to address the needs of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises in their respective countries, as they contribute more than half of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). An estimate by the International Finance Corporation reveals that Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) account for about 90% of all businesses in Africa, and provide about 80% of jobs across the continent.

Communications and Advocacy Team – MOTI