THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Dr. Hashil Abdallah, has urged Trade Permanent Secretaries under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to align their work with the expectations of the people and the broader vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Dr. Abdallah, who also chairs the meeting, made the remarks yesterday in Kinshasa, DRC, while opening the 20th Meeting of the AfCFTA Trade Permanent Secretaries. The meeting aims to evaluate the implementation of the Agreement.

He emphasized the need for continued commitment from Member States, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and experts in advancing the AfCFTA agenda.

Dr. Abdallah noted significant progress since the Agreement’s official launch on January 1, 2021—particularly the transition from negotiations to practical implementation.

He cited the adoption of Legal Instruments under the Second Phase of Negotiations by the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government as a clear indication of shared commitment to the AfCFTA’s success.

The upcoming discussions, he said, are crucial to finalizing outstanding negotiations, enhancing strategies, and formulating actionable recommendations for the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting.

“The success of the AfCFTA goes beyond policies and legal frameworks,” Dr. Abdallah said. “It’s about transforming Africa’s economic landscape by boosting intra-African trade, promoting industrialization, increasing employment, and building resilient economies.”

He stressed the importance of creating a favorable business environment for the private sector, SMEs, and entrepreneurs, and called for transparent discussions and implementable decisions.

Dr. Abdallah also thanked the conference organizers and Member States for their consistent participation, which he said has significantly enriched discussions aimed at advancing regional development.