ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Kenya is in a bruising battle with Ghana, Senegal and Egypt to host Africa’s free trade zone secretariat

The Nairobi City Skyline
  • On Thursday, senior government officials met with a team of evaluators from the African Union to market the country’s ability to host the permanent office of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
  • Kenya has been on the forefront in pushing for the implementation of the Continental Free Trade agreement and was among the first countries out of 52 nations to sign the treaty.
  • The country is eyeing the economic benefits that come with hosting international organisations.

Kenya is hoping against all odds that come July the country will be declared the host of the secretariat of Africa’s free trade zone, due to be created in July.The country is eyeing the economic benefits that come with hosting international organisations.

On Thursday, senior government officials met with a team of evaluators from the African Union to market the country’s ability to host the permanent office of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. The AU officials are in the country to assess Kenya’s facilities, safety and other criteria before making recommendations to the Council of Ministers at the African Union.

“Having the Secretariat come to Kenya would not only cement Kenya’s role as a lead country in trade and multilateralism but it would also avail Africa the best venue and the best opportunity to grow free trade to its full potential, for the benefit of all Africans,” Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said on Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kenya has been on the forefront in pushing for the implementation of the Continental Free Trade agreement and was among the first countries out of 52 nations to sign the treaty.

The country is also targeting to tap into growing intra-Africa travel to expand its tourism sector as African countries move to create a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

Signed by 52 of the 55 African countries, the treaty often known as AfCTA, hopes to create $3 trillion (Sh300 trillion) continental free-trade zone encompassing 1.2 billion people for movement of goods, traders and workers with little restrictions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kenya will not have it easy though and will battle with Ghana, Senegal and Egypt; all who signed on the AfCTA when it was launched in Kigali in March last year, to host the secretariat.

The bidding document has not been made public, but officials said Kenya’s experience with hosting 24 UN agencies, several African Union offices and diplomatic missions adds to its ability to host the secretariat.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT