Ekurhuleni, South Africa – Once fully implemented, the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AFCFTA) is poised to revolutionise intra-African trade.
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, while addressing the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly at the grand Emperors Palace, said the AcFTA is expected to elevate the continent’s share and participation in the global trade arena and invigorate the economy.
WATCH: South Africa Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses BRICS Parliament
Moreover, the AFCFTA promises to uplift millions of people from poverty, heralding a new era of prosperity for the continent.
However, the journey toward a seamless African market faces logistical challenges. Africa’s transportation networks remain largely inadequate, with few well-maintained roads connecting the continent’s five regions.
This infrastructure deficit poses a hurdle in realizing the full potential of the AFCFTA.
The African continent is eagerly looking to engage with its BRICS partners if it is to pull off this monumental economic integration.
The collaborative efforts are expected to be a win-win scenario that benefits all participating nations.
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The 19th BRICS Parliament, also hosted members from the newly inducted BRICS bloc: the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The BRICS Parliamentary Forum, in its ninth edition, has come a long way since its inception in the Russian Federation in June 2015.
The growth of this intergovernmental organisation reflects both the commitment of BRICS member states and the worldwide yearning for a just world order that serves not only a select few but, more significantly, the disadvantaged.
WATCH: FULL BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Day 1, 27 September 2023
