African experts have spoken out on the hindrances that Africa should address as it gears towards implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). In a meeting held at the Kigali Convention Center over the weekend dubbed the African Regional Journal Forum, African economic experts from various countries spoke about the ACFTA and the bottlenecks that governments need to tackle to implement it.
Sylvie Potignon, a Cyber Security Investor based in the United Arab Emirates said that Africa also has a lot of work in addressing cyber-security related issues as it looks to trade under the ACFTA. “We talking about ACFTA, but how many of you are sure that your country is protecting you (in terms of cyber security)?” she asked her audience.
“We have the convention of Malabo. They wrote everything that was necessary, but only 8 countries have signed it. This is not enough. You want to do free trade, but when you start, you will be using I.T, the internet, networks. These people abroad (hackers) are waiting for us,” she added.
Marlon Weir, the CEO of Afrikanekt, an all-in-one platform for multiple solutions including fintech, entertainment among other things said the ACFTA agreement has made the possibility of our ancestors’ wildest dreams,” of free movement of goods and people.
“The establishment of the AfCFTA presents an unprecedented opportunity for continental cooperation, promising economic development and sustainable growth,” he said. “We must be nimble – fleet of mind and foot – in order to spot opportunities and act succinctly. Furthermore, it is not enough to just move fast – we have to have a plan and forge strategic partnerships that will make us sustainable and go far… and in order to go far, we have to go together – “forward ever, backward – never!”
Source: tralac.org