| dc.description | The Africa Trade Forum 2018, hosted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), The Rockefeller Foundation, and the African Union Commission (AUC), was held on 2-3 November 2018 in Lagos on the Theme “The AfCFTA ratification and implementation: A game-changer for African Economies.” The African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to generate a range of socio-economic development benefits through supporting trade creation, structural transformation, productive employment, and poverty reduction. The realization of these benefits, however, will require quick ratification and effective implementation of the agreement, which was signed by African Heads of State in March this year. In this context, there is an urgent need to build on the current political momentum to support expeditious and timely ratification and implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. The Forum supported this by advocating for AfCFTA ratification and implementation by bringing together policymakers, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders from African countries and identifying what is required from policymakers and the private sector in order to ensure that the AfCFTA contributes to Africa’s socio-economic development. This audio is a highlight of the second-day meeting question and answer. | en |
