African Development Bank’s President, Akinwumi Adesina, has been recognised for his leadership role in the actualisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Adesina was honoured by AeTrade Group.
Chairman of the AeTrade Group, Mulualem Syoum, who commended AfDB’s outstanding technical guidance and financial support, said, “Moving forward, we want the private sector to speak with one voice. The AfCFTA has shown the way. To ensure effective implementation, it is time for the private sector to play its role. The Africa that we want can only be achieved through working together.
“We are confident that there is no need for Africa to depend on aid. We can spur domestic mobilisation of resources and synergies.”
African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Albert Muchanga, said the AfCFTA had generated strong support in Africa and the Diaspora.
“We are also celebrating the milestones achieved from when we laid the foundation for the initiative to the official start of trading on January 1. I would like to call on governments and the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities created by the continental initiative to make Africa more prosperous,” Muchanga added.
