Kagame who is also the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) was speaking this Wednesday while opening the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union.
The Summit aimed at signing the agreement establishing Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Today’s agenda is to adopt the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and the Kigali Declaration, which expresses our unity in moving our continent forward,” Kagame said.
Taken together, these are surely to be counted among the most consequential actions that this Assembly has ever taken, he said.
The Continental Free Trade Area process was led by Niger President, Mahamadou Issoufou.
Kagame reminded that the Continental Free Trade Area is the culmination of a vision set forth nearly 40 years ago in the Lagos Plan of Action, adopted by Heads of State in 1980.
The undertaking, he said led directly to the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community in 1991.
“We continue to be guided by the foundational principles and detailed implementation roadmap that were laid down in those instruments,” he said.
Kagame said that among the most important guidelines is the pre-eminent role of Regional Economic Communities. He said they have been the model and the engine for Africa’s economic integration and they will continue to be.
He reminded that trade agreements cover many complex details. Behind the scenes, Commission staff, ministers, and technical experts put in countless days and nights of hard work. “This effort has paid off and we thank you,”
“What is at stake is the dignity and well-being of Africa’s farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth,” he noted.
Kagame said that the promise of free trade and free movement is prosperity for all Africans as they are prioritising the production of value-added goods and services that are “Made in Africa”.
“The advantages we gain by creating one African market will also benefit our trading partners around the world, and that is a good thing. At the same time, we will be in a better position to leverage our growing strength and unity to secure Africa’s rightful interests in the international arena,” Kagame told different Heads of States in the summit.
He noted that the act is not just a signing ceremony as deliberations are critically important along charting the next steps on continent’s journey towards the Africa we want.
At the summit different Heads of States and Governments signed and ratified the agreement.
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