Free trading under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) began in 2021. Africa Renewal interviews Mr. Wamkele Mene Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, on the crucial role of women and young people in free trade, a finance facility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and a compensation mechanism to cushion the fiscal impact of a loss of tariff revenues.
A year ago, we welcomed 2021 with a sense of cautious optimism when the newly developed vaccines promised a shift in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus turned towards building back better and doing things differently as many countries started to rethink and rebuild their shattered economies. For African countries, however, the pandemic exposed the stark realities of global inequality.
Africa is the least contributor to global greenhouse emissions and on a net positive side of the global net zero ambition due to a largely under-developed energy sector. At the same time, energy is key to achieving Africa’s sustainable development goals. The intertwined nature of climate change and energy generation make a balanced energy mix imperative for Africa.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has shown that what began as a health crisis quickly evolved into a human and socio-economic crisis. While the crisis has derailed progress towards the SDGs, it also makes their achievement urgent and necessary.
Decreasing carbon emissions is vital to fighting climate change. Getting deforestation and forest degradation under control is one of many ways to use nature-based solutions in climate action. Receiving payments for such efforts shows the potential of letting nature take care of itself. Gabon is the first African country to receive payments.
The 麻豆APP Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) has launched a network of African academics and experts who will contribute their vast knowledge and expertise of the continent’s unique context to Africa’s development. It is a platform for African experts to exchange views and influence policy.
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