The desire to see intra-Africa trade flourish was envisioned by Trade and Industry Minister of Ghana Alan Kyeremanteng over a decade ago. At the time, several leaders of African countries were reluctant to join forces and make it a reality. However, Alan Kyeremanteng traveled around the continent, met political leaders and explained further to paint favorable portraits of the viability of the program until it gained a continental acceptance.
With the African continental free trade area office situated in Ghana, the office has begun talks with countries to begin the exportation and importation of goods manufactured within Africa.
Last week, Kenyan-made exide batteries landed in Ghana on 24th September 2022 as part of the preferential terms under the new pan-African trade deal. The batteries which are manufactured by Associated Battery Manufacturing Ltd are used in cars, solar installations and power backup. This marks Kenya’s formal start of preferential business under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Associated Battery Manufacturing Ltd is the first Kenyan company to start trading under AfCFTA. This was after member countries realized that no trading was taking place one-and-a-half years after launch of AfCFTA in January last year.
Head of Public relations at the Kenyan embassy in an interview with afropolitanonline.com hinted that Kenya will in the future be exporting vehicle filters, leather bags, tea, confectionery, incinerators, beaded products, , textiles, avocadoes etc to Ghana.
Ghana, Rwanda,Tanzania, Kenya, Cameron and Egypt have been selected to participate in the pilot phase of the AfCFTA Initiative on Guided Trade to expedite trade under the agreement.
By 2024, the vision of Alan Kyeremanteng would have created jobs and revenue for millions of Africans across the continent.
As the Trade Minister seeks to lead the NPP into the next elections, these are some of the outstanding bench marks that party delegates must look at and consider his candidature.
Jeffery Jones
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