Investing in Africa: AfCFTA secretariat urges governments to commit funds

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat has this far done its work in developing updated cutting edge policies, including those of digital trade and digital identity for people and goods, throwing the gauntlet to governments to commit finance and practical trade across the continent, AfCFTA Director for Coordination and Programmes Tsotetsi Makong said on Wednesday.

- BANELE GININDZA

Speaking at the 2025 TIPS Forum, which seeks to deepen understanding of the implications of the AfCFTA and regional integration on industrial development in Southern Africa, Makong said the continent continued to lose capital as traders preferred to travel to China, Turkeye, Dubai and other destinations to buy goods resold in the African market.

He said the continent still faced challenges on the digital divide with an assessment that it needs about 700 data centres to facilitate digital trade across the 49 countries that have yet ratified the AfCTA protocols.