The Era Of The AfCFTA, But What Is In It For African Women?

Original Story Published by: NAW Magazine, www.nawmagazine.com
Photo Source: Stock Photo

January 1st, 2021 , was a historic day which heralded the ‘Start of Trading’ in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)-  began. As billions of Africans aptly celebrated, many also asked: how will the AfCFTA benefit African women? And what role will they play? ‘The Futures Report: Making the AfCFTA Work for Women and Youth’, provides some answers. Read on:

The Futures Report: Making the AfCFTA Work for Women and Youth Report is a narrative about the promise of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as told through the voices of 18 producers, traders, and policy officials in Africa. Featuring seven stories by young people and women in the healthcare, creative, digital education, technology, agricultural and retail industries, the report presents ongoing efforts and actionable strategies for how governments and development institutions can ensure women and youth business owners derive maximum benefit from the Agreement.

The AfCFTA is an AU Agenda 2063 flagship initiative established to create an integrated continental market for goods and services and to support the movement of capital and people. This market will be actualized through the progressive elimination of tariffs and removal of non-tariff barriers.

During the launch of the Africa Futures Report in early December 2020, Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, said the Agreement “must create opportunities for women in trade; amongst others, by lowering the gender wage gap.

”Young Africans, are at the cutting edge of technological innovation for digital trade and e-commerce,” he added.

Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the AfCFTA Secretariat will provide technical support to the overall implementation of the Agreement through strategic collaboration, stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization.