The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a strategic partnership to promote trade as a stimulus for Africa's socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The Partnership will also serve as a driver of sustainable development, particularly for women and youth in Africa, in line with the SDGs and Agenda 2063 common vison for the continent.

A joint statement, issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency, by Ms Faith Adhiambo, of the African Union and Ms. Eve Sabbagh, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, said the agreement was sealed by the AfCFTA Secretary General, Mr Wamkele Mene, and by the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa.

"The AfCFTA is beyond a trade liberalising instrument. It is an enabler of inclusive growth and sustainable development," Mr Mene said.

He said, "We must rebalance Africa's role in global trade. As African countries implement COVID-19 recovery plans, this collaboration with UNDP will drive momentum, on the ground in AfCFTA state parties, to ensure that women and youth are the leading beneficiaries of the AfCFTA."

"The partnership will leverage UNDP's presence in all African countries, working in close collaboration with other UN entities, and includes direct support to the AfCFTA Secretariat through a financial grant of US$3 million. This will enhance AfCFTA Secretariat advocacy among policy makers, business, civil society, academia, youth and other stakeholders.

"UNDP is pleased to support the AfCFTA as a development enabler and accelerator that can move the continent beyond COVID-19 recovery towards the Africa we want and the Sustainable Development Goals," Ms Eziakonwa said.

She said, "If we succeed, we will have contributed to creating stronger and more resilient inclusive and green economies in Africa characterised by rising incomes, jobs, more balanced trade, and better returns from Africa's natural resources."

She said the new collaboration aims to address inequalities, promote value addition and create jobs.

As Africa trades more with itself, it will be essential to target critical hurdles faced in exporting within Africa such as SME export competitiveness; rules of origin; technical and product safety standards.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world's largest free-trade area - started trading on 1 January 2021, creating a market of 1.2 billion people and the eighth economic bloc in the world with a $3-trillion combined GDP, that is expected to more than double by 2050.

The partnership signing is part of a two-day official visit to New York by the AfCFTA Secretariat Secretary General.

Since its launch, the AfCFTA has been ratified by 36 countries, and already possesses 90 per cent of tariff offers and 34 services offers, which enables sound business and investment decisions in intra-African trade, strengthening accelerated action for trade as a means of implementation for the "Africa We Want, and for the SDGs."