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<p>The operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area was launched on the 7th of July 2019, while trade under the regional pact has been on for over 6 months now. Afex Commodities Exchange says unlocking the gains in regional trade will require African economies to build a digital economy to foster the production of higher quality goods and services at reduced costs. The CEO of the exchange, Ayodeji Balogun also notes that commodity exchanges will play a major role in boosting regional trade going forward. Ayodeji Balogun  joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How vital are commodity exchanges to Africa’s regional trade pact?

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<p>AfCFTA&#8217;s successful implementation is vital to Africa&#8217;s recovery and renewal. Negotiations on protocols are ongoing. Phase I negotiations, which relate to the protocols on trade in goods and services and dispute settlement, are to be concluded before the end of June 2021. Are we on track? Prudence Sebahizi, Chief Technical Advisor on AfCFTA and Head of Negotiations Support Unit at the AfCFTA Secretariat joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Is trading under the AfCFTA on track?

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<p>Nigeria&#8217;s Access Bank Group formally launches operations in South Africa next week, seeking a share of growing trade flows between Africa&#8217;s regions after the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Godfrey Mutizwa spoke to the Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe about the opportunities the bank sees.</p>


Access Bank CEO sees growth opportunities in SA’s underserved banking market

Access Bank MD sees growth opportunities in SA’s underserved banking market

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<p>The African Continental Free Trade Area has been hailed as a monumental milestone but for it to operate, the member states need to look at alternative funding sources for many of the joint projects, to shed more light on the importance of alternative capital financing, CNBC Africa spoke with Bart Turtelboom, Chairman of Delphos International for more.</p>


AfCFTA: Development finance institutions to play a key role in driving infrastructure projects

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<p>The need for quality infrastructure in Africa is pressing, especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area set to transform Africa. Well a high-level business meeting between the Western Cape government and business is underway in Cape Town and PPC South Africa Managing Director, Njombo Lekula joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


PPC calls for African govts to look inwards to accelerate infrastructure development

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<p>The African Continental Free trade Area, is a signature achievement of African leaders unparalled in recent times. It creates a common market for Africa&#8217;s 55 territories with a combined spending power in excess of $3.5 trillion dollars. Most economic experts have warned that there will be no bonanza unless there is complete buy-in from the private sector. Kweku Bedu-Addo, Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Southern Africa joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Standard Chartered’s Bedu-Addo discusses the private sector’s key role in AfCFTA success

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<p>SMEs account for over 75 per cent of Rwanda&#8217;s businesses and there are fears that with the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area, they can be overshadowed by large corporations. Rwanda&#8217;s Minister for Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye spoke to CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Soraya Hakuziyaremye: How Rwandan SMEs can to tap into the AfCFTA

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<p>The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement which launched operations on the 1st of January this year aims to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s trading position in the global market. But what does this mean for the continent&#8217;s largest trading partner, China? CNBC Africa spoke to Carlos Lopes, Professor at the University of Cape Town, for more.</p>


How the AfCFTA impacts China-Africa trade relations

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<p>The tourism industry has been the hardest hit, as a result of Covid-19. The labour-intensive sector accounts for 2.9 per cent of South Africa’s economy and approximately 1.5 million jobs.</p>


Kubayi-Ngubane criticises travel bans

Kubayi-Ngubane criticises travel bans, explains how the AfCFTA will boost SA tourism

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<p>The African Union introduced the African Business Council (AFBC) as a key pillar within the architecture of the African Continental Free Trade Area to ensure an organised interaction between the private sector and policymakers. Mansur Ahmed, Interim Vice-Chairperson of the Council joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


AFBC’s Ahmed on how African businesses can leverage the AfCFTA

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<p>The African Continental Free Trade Area holds immense potential for the social and economic development of Africa. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss how the project can boost trade and resilience in the continent is Chido Munyati, Acting Head of Africa at the World Economic Forum.</p>


WEF’s Munyati on how to strengthen intra-African trade

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<p>The private sector is a key stakeholder and beneficiary of the African Continental Free Trade Area. But how ready are they to commit fully to trading and investing in the AfCFTA? CNBC Africa spoke to the Chairman of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, Robert Bapfakurera, for more.</p>


AfCFTA: Assessing the preparedness of Rwanda’s private sector

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<p>The Eastern Africa region is set to generate an estimated $1.8 billion and more than 2 million jobs if the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is successfully implemented. But how is the region ready to stand out in the competitive market? UNECA Director for East Africa Mama Keita spoke to CNBC Africa for more.</p>


AfCFTA: Are East African economies ready to compete?

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<p>Economies all over the world lost trillions of dollars due to COVID-19, with small and medium sized businesses being heavily impacted. However, SMEs are set to be one of the winners, with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss the landscape for these businesses is Dr. Ebiekure Eradiri, Secretary-General of the All Africa Association for Small &#038; Medium Enterprises joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How African SMEs can leverage the AfCFTA for growth

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<p>The African Development Bank today hosted the Africa Investment Conference. This brought United Kingdom and African businesses together, to discuss investment and partnership opportunities. This comes at an interesting time, amid the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Joining CNBC Africa for more is Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy &#038; Regulation at the African Development Bank.</p>


UK-Africa Investment Conference seeks to strengthen business ties

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<p>The African Continental Free Trade Area is set to commence in January, a move that aims to revolutionize trade in Africa. Economic Analyst, Ted Kaberuka joins CNBC Africa to discuss Rwanda’s preparedness ahead of the AFCFTA launch.</p>


Reviewing Rwanda’s preparedness ahead of AfCFTA launch

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<p>Kenya and France have signed three bilateral agreements to strengthen economic relations between the two countries and CNBC Africa spoke with Janet Mulu, Trade &#038; Investment Consultant to shine more lights on the agreements and what this means to Kenya.</p>


African Continental Free Trade Area

How vital are commodity exchanges to Africa’s regional trade pact?

Is trading under the AfCFTA on track?

Access Bank MD sees growth opportunities in SA’s underserved banking market

AfCFTA: Development finance institutions to play a key role in driving infrastructure projects

PPC calls for African govts to look inwards to accelerate infrastructure development

Standard Chartered’s Bedu-Addo discusses the private sector’s key role in AfCFTA success

Soraya Hakuziyaremye: How Rwandan SMEs can to tap into the AfCFTA

How the AfCFTA impacts China-Africa trade relations

Kubayi-Ngubane criticises travel bans, explains how the AfCFTA will boost SA tourism

AFBC’s Ahmed on how African businesses can leverage the AfCFTA

WEF’s Munyati on how to strengthen intra-African trade

AfCFTA: Assessing the preparedness of Rwanda’s private sector

AfCFTA: Are East African economies ready to compete?

How African SMEs can leverage the AfCFTA for growth

UK-Africa Investment Conference seeks to strengthen business ties

Reviewing Rwanda’s preparedness ahead of AfCFTA launch

Unpacking the Kenya-France bilateral deals

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African Continental Free Trade Area

How vital are commodity exchanges to Africa’s regional trade pact?

Is trading under the AfCFTA on track?

Access Bank MD sees growth opportunities in SA’s underserved banking market

AfCFTA: Development finance institutions to play a key role in driving infrastructure projects

PPC calls for African govts to look inwards to accelerate infrastructure development

Standard Chartered’s Bedu-Addo discusses the private sector’s key role in AfCFTA success

Soraya Hakuziyaremye: How Rwandan SMEs can to tap into the AfCFTA

How the AfCFTA impacts China-Africa trade relations

Kubayi-Ngubane criticises travel bans, explains how the AfCFTA will boost SA tourism

AFBC’s Ahmed on how African businesses can leverage the AfCFTA

WEF’s Munyati on how to strengthen intra-African trade

AfCFTA: Assessing the preparedness of Rwanda’s private sector

AfCFTA: Are East African economies ready to compete?

How African SMEs can leverage the AfCFTA for growth

UK-Africa Investment Conference seeks to strengthen business ties

Reviewing Rwanda’s preparedness ahead of AfCFTA launch

Unpacking the Kenya-France bilateral deals

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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