Hard work begins for continental trade pact

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFTA) has garnered the required 22 ratifications for it to enter force. [Courtesy]

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFTA) has garnered the required 22 ratifications for it to enter force, the latest ratification coming in on April 1, 2019 from The Gambia; just 11 days after the first anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on March 21, 2018 in Kigali. What was thought unthinkable has happened. It was Nelson Mandela who said; it always looks impossible until it is done and that after climbing one great hill, you only realise you have more hills to climb. The real hard work now begins; that of Implementation, on which Africa doesn't have a very proud record. Besides, there is quite a bit of unfinished work to be done.