UN chief says African free trade area catalyst for sustainable growth

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press conference in the UN headquarters, New York, on May 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie E)

"The robust growth that many African countries experienced before COVID-19 was lost to the pandemic," the secretary-general said, highlighting the need to scale up efforts towards a single trade market on the continent.

UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday highlighted the vital role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in the sustainable development of the continent.

"Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063, we must ramp up our efforts and harness the full potential of trade and industrialization to advance sustainable, inclusive growth," the top UN official spoke on the final day of the annual Africa Dialogue Series in New York, where the focus this year was on accelerating implementation of AfCFTA - set to be the largest in the world.

"The African Continental Free Trade Area is set to be an engine of that growth," noted Guterres.

"The robust growth that many African countries experienced before COVID-19 was lost to the pandemic," the secretary-general said, highlighting the need to scale up efforts towards a single trade market on the continent.

The pandemic brought high food and energy prices, made worse by the Ukraine crisis, exacerbating poverty, inequalities, and food insecurity, the UN chief said.

Governments have also faced rising interest rates, which increase the potential for debt, while climate change has created deadly floods and drought, contributing to the risk of hunger.

The full implementation of AfCFTA could generate income gains of up to 9 percent by 2035, according to the latest estimates. This would lift up to 50 million people out of extreme poverty and reduce income inequalities, he added.

The secretary-general stressed that realizing the AfCFTA promise calls for action across four critical areas, starting with boosting access to financial resources and investment.

"We need a fundamental reform of the global financial system so that Africa is represented at the highest level," he said.

A staff member processes cut flowers at a flower farm in Naivasha, Kenya, Feb. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Barriers that hold back intra-African trade and production capacities must also be broken down, including through eliminating tariffs, building "made in Africa" supply chains, and harmonizing regulations that would enable investment.

His third point focuses on energy and digital infrastructure, which are vital for African countries to build their manufacturing capacities and harness the full potential of innovation and entrepreneurship.

"We need to power Africa's industrialization and leverage technology to leapfrog outdated infrastructure and head straight towards the fourth Industrial Revolution," said Guterres.

The continent is also blessed with resources that could make it a leader in clean energy, he added, and the sector could generate more than 6 million jobs by mid-century. Yet Africa has received just 2 percent of global investment in renewables over the past decade.

His last point underscores investing in "human capital," with Africa's vibrant, young and innovative population representing both a dynamic workforce and massive market.

"Creating decent jobs, particularly for women, and promoting education, training and lifelong learning is the best way to ensure Africa's people fully contribute to the continent's digital revolution and sustainable growth," he said.

The African Dialogue Series brings together policy and decision-makers, experts, academics, civil society representatives, young people and other stakeholders to examine challenges and opportunities impacting the continent.