The Africa Forum on “AfCFTA in motion: Taking Africa’s integration to the next level for a prosperous continent”, co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the European Union, and the Government of Republic of Senegal, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC). The Forum took place at King Fahd Hotel in Dakar, Senegal, on 24 to 25 June 2019.

By signing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African leaders took a giant step forward for the development of the continent, signaling that the ideals in the Abuja Treaty on the African Economic Community will now be realized. The AfCFTA has the potential to generate a range of benefits through supporting trade creation, structural transformation, productive employment and poverty reduction. We are now on a clear path to the realization of these benefits with the ratification by the required 22 signatories.

It is in this context that the forum is jointly organized and brought together ministers and policy makers, private sector, civil society, academia, international organizations and other influential stakeholders from across the continent, to discuss what is required to ensure that the AfCFTA becomes a reality and truly contributes to Africa’s socio-economic development. The forum will, in addition, provide an opportunity to learn, share, and actively engage and network with intra-African actors across a diverse range of different sectors.

We are represented by Ms. Christine Sayo, AYC Director of Advocacy and Communications. Ms. Sayo this afternoon spoke in ‘’Women and Youth Business Roundtable’’ where the panel addressed the following fundamental questions:
• What skills must Africa’s youth be equipped with to ensure that they are positioned to take advantage of these opportunities?
• What supportive measures, such as access to subsidized credit, capacity development and business mentoring opportunities, will be required?
• How will they be paid for and by whom?

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