How Faki failed AfCFTA and why Raila must make it work

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the 60th edition of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group at KICC. [File, Standard]

In his inaugural address, US President Donald Trump was categorical about his path to economic recovery and growth. He asserted that what was necessary for Americans was practical policies that overemphasized building their domestic economy, and only when time was right would he spare no efforts in restoring world trade.

Trump's economic policies, as well as trade approaches of Western countries, have made it abundantly clear that Africa must prioritise intra-African trade to achieve economic self-reliance.