The 16th Meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers of Trade took place on 15 April 2025. It was attended virtually by the Honourable Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Hambyrajen Narsinghen and Danandjay Luximon, Deputy Director-Trade Policy.
In addition to reviewing reports from the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Agreement establishing the AfCFTA, the Committee of Senior Trade Officials, the Dispute Settlement Body, Heads of Customs, and Competition Authorities, the Council of Ministers deliberated on recent developments in the global trade environment, and their implications for African economies. The discussions highlighted the need for collective responses and strategic direction for advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA.
In the light of recent escalating trade tensions and the speed at which events are unfolding, adding uncertainty and instability to world trade and the world economy, there has been unanimous agreement of the need for Africa to fully implement the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is in force since January 2021.
During his intervention, Hambyrajen Narsinghen indicated the commitment of the new Mauritian government to support the support the efforts on the African Continent to achieve the ambitious goal proposed by the agreement on the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He also emphasised on the need for Africa to strengthen intra-African trade and boosting self-sufficiency in order to reduce its reliance on external markets.
He further raised concerns on the uncertainty of AGOA and called for a unified action on the matter at the soonest, while also highlighting how the AGOA has been beneficial for Africa, as a whole.
La 16e réunion du Conseil des ministres du Commerce de la ZLECAf s’est tenue virtuellement le 15 avril 2025, avec la participation du ministre adjoint des Affaires étrangères, de l’Intégration régionale et du Commerce international, Hambyrajen Narsinghen, et de Danandjay Luximon.
Les discussions ont porté sur la mise en œuvre de la ZLECAf, le contexte commercial mondial et la nécessité d’une action collective. Hambyrajen Narsinghen a réaffirmé l’engagement de Maurice envers la ZLECAf, soulignant l’importance du commerce intra-africain et exprimant des préoccupations concernant l’avenir de l’AGOA.
