President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined his three main priorities as South Africa prepares to assume leadership of the African Union (AU) this year.
Speaking at the African Heads of Mission Conference in Pretoria on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said that economic integration, women’s empowerment and good governance would form the cornerstone of his tenure at the AU.
“At the top of our agenda must be the deepening of economic integration.
“Together with our fellow African countries, we must implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement with purpose and determination.”
The AfCFTA is set to increase intra-African trade by allowing the free flow of goods between the AU’s 55 member states.
It will include over 1.2 billion people, opening the door to unexplored market options.
However, according to Ramaphosa, infrastructure will need to be developed in numerous African countries to ensure that everyone can operate at full capacity.
“Infrastructure is at the core of Africa’s social, economic and political challenges. It is crucial for sustainable development and inclusive growth, and for diversification through industrialisation and value addition,” he said.
African leaders and government officials are set to meet at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the AU assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 8.
During the session South Africa will be sworn in as the new chair, a position it last held in 2002. – Bjorn Vorster
