The Democratic Republic of Congo is pushing for faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with officials emphasizing the potential for significant economic growth across the continent. Congolese Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya, met with Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, on February 1st in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 39th Summit of the African Union.
Discussions centered on concrete steps to accelerate the rollout of the ambitious trade agreement, which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. The move comes as many African nations weigh the potential benefits against concerns about lost revenue from tariffs.
Paluku addressed those concerns, assuring attendees of the long-term economic advantages of greater regional integration. He proposed a policy of reducing customs taxes specifically on products originating within Africa, stating, “We must rid ourselves of certain taxes to allow African products to circulate freely.”
According to Paluku, full implementation of the AfCFTA by 2030 is projected to substantially boost the continent’s wealth, potentially increasing Africa’s GDP by several billion U.S. Dollars. He framed the agreement as a sustainable solution for long-term development. This development underscores the growing importance of intra-African trade as a driver of economic progress.
