He has, therefore, advised member countries, in exercising their economic sovereignty, to ensure that their economic partnerships or trade agreements with countries outside the free trade area, did not undermine AfCFTA objectives.

“The heads of States have recognised the importance of integration on our continent, and they have said that there is no country that can be stopped from negotiating with others outside the continent. However, priority must be given to consolidating the AfCFTA where there are outstanding negotiations to conclude and move together in unity,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing on the outcome of the 8th meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Accra, he said the agreement made provision for pre-existing agreements among members, members with third parties as well as future trade agreements with third parties outside of the continental trade area.

He indicated that third party agreements were permissible subject to certain conditions, which included the commitment to support regional integration and the provision of the same or better preferences for member countries of AfCFTA.

Mr Ebrahim Patel, the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Competition, said the focus of African countries should be improving intra trade since the continent had one of the lowest levels of intra-trade on the globe.

“…All the trade we do among ourselves is 18 per cent while more than 70 per cent of all trade among Europeans are with other European countries. Therein lies the opportunity for the continent to deepen its relations with one another,” he said.

The general objectives of the AfCFTA agreement, which was signed in Kigali, Rwanda in 2018, include the creation of a single market for goods and services, and the facilitation of the movement of persons.

It is also to create a liberalised market for goods and services through successive rounds of negotiations and promoting and attaining a sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, gender equality and structural transformation of the State Parties.

Other objectives include promoting industrial development through diversification and regional value chain development, agricultural development, and food security.

Another key objective is resolving challenges of multiple and overlapping memberships and expediting regional and continental integration processes.