Africa: Trade Agreements

(asked on 23rd February 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department is providing support to the African Continental Free Trade Area; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
Nigel Huddleston Portrait
Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
This question was answered on 2nd March 2023

The Department for Business and Trade strongly supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We are firmly convinced by the benefits that the AfCFTA should bring, and committed to supporting Africa realise increased levels of intra-regional trade. The UK was proud to be the first non-African country to sign an MoU with the AfCFTA Secretariat in September 2021.

This department is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to support the AfCFTA Secretariat and Member Countries with implementation. We have launched a support programme which is currently delivering on the AfCFTA’s objectives. This department continues to engage with the UK’s business and investors to utilise the AfCFTA to increase intra-African trade and investment, and we are currently working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to support their priority work streams, including the upcoming AfCFTA Business Forum in April 2023.

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