15th AfCFTA Council of Ministers Conduct Fruitful Discussion on Continent’s Trade-related Matters

Addis Ababa November 10/2024 (ENA)-The 15th African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers Meeting, which took place in Addis Ababa, was a success as it allowed participants to have productive discussion about trade-related matters on the continent, Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe remarked. 

The participating ministers visited the Ethiopian Export Exhibition Center located in the premises of Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, AMG Coffee and Steel Factory in Galan, today. 

 

On the occasion, high ranking officials of the Ministry briefed the visitors about the export potential of Ethiopia.

Minister Kassahun told the media that the 15th African Free Trade Area Ministerial Meeting conducted a successful and fruitful discussion on African trade issues.

The participants exchanged views on ways to promote trade and value chain development in all sectors in the continent, he added. .

They have also discussed ways to enhance sustainable economic development in Africa, Kassahun said, noting that Ethiopia has recently completed preparations for the launch of a pilot implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Participants of the visit said that Ethiopia's efforts to add value on its export products will be a great experience for other African countries.

Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene said during the visit we have seen the effort being carried out in Ethiopia in terms of value addition to export products which is very insightful.

He stated that Ethiopia’s capacity on value addition products for export in the global and African market is remarkable. 

The AfCFTA  is one of the Flagship Projects of Agenda 2063 Africa’s development framework that was  approved by the 18th ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2012. 

The AfCFTA aims at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.

The agreement will create the largest free trade area in the world as it connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at 3.4 trillion USD.