President Ruto drums up support for intra-African trade

Brazzaville, 

Saturday, 28 October, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

President William Ruto has drummed up support for implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. 

According to Ruto, AfCFTA will strengthen trade within African countries among themselves hence creating more jobs and boosting the economy. 

President Ruto gave a keynote speech during the Summit of the Three Basins on Biodiversity Ecosystems, and Tropical Forests, in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congolese.

The Head of State noted that Visa restrictions between African countries and tariffs are unnecessary hindrances to trade.

“It is time we realise the importance of trading amongst ourselves and allowing goods, services, people and ideas to move freely across the continent,” he said.

Ruto acknowledged the move by the East African Community to scrap Visa requirements which has hastened cooperation and development. 

According to Ruto, Tarrifs and Visa restrictions are no longer necessary. 

Ruto who has been vocal in the International financial architecture continued with his campaign for reforms in aspects like the unfair lending systems which he termed "unfair" to African countries. 

“A fair financial architecture that treats Africa like other countries is not too much to ask,” he said.

President Ruto, who is also the chair of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, called for fair allocation of climate action financing.

Ruto Noted that yet the continental being the largest producer of renewable energy, it continues to receive the lowest share in Renewable energy investment. 

Ruto called for Africa to receive a "fair share" of the funding in Renewable energy investment. 

“Despite having 40% of the world’s renewable energy resources, Africa as a continent can only manage to receive only 2% of the $ 3 trillion renewable energy investment made over the past decade,” he said.

Ruto also warned on the trend of exporting raw materials out of the continent which he sees as exploiting jobs for Africans. 

Also Present in the summit were Presidents Sassou Nguesso (Congo), Felix Tshekedi (DRC), Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi) and Brice Nguema (Gabon). Others were African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki, Vice-President Jessica Alupo of Uganda and Prime Minister of Rwanda Edourdo Ngirente, among other heads of government and delegations.