- Eino Vatileni
MIDRAND – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to play a central role in advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying the agreement is essential to achieving greater economic integration and development across the continent.
The president made this call while delivering the opening address at the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, South Africa.
Namibia’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Phillipus Katamelo, is attending the session.
The Namibian delegation also comprises Hon. Olivia Hanghuwo and Hon. Tjimutambo Kuuoko from the National Council as well as Hon. Alpheus! Naruseb and Hon. Rodney Cloete from the National Assembly.
The session is held under the African Union theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
President Ramaphosa said one of the institution’s most significant responsibilities is to provide guidance on the operationalisation of the AfCFTA.
He said the trade agreement offers Africa an opportunity to deepen unity while expanding economic opportunities across member states.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is undoubtedly the most powerful instrument we have to realise our cherished goal of African unity, prosperity and progress,” president Ramaphosa said.
He added the agreement has the potential to break down barriers created by colonial-era borders and strengthen trade links across the continent.
“If used to its greatest effect, this continental free trade area will overcome the boundaries that colonial division and exploitation imposed upon our continent,” he said.
South African’s president stated that the AfCFTA would support economic activity by opening trade routes and creating conditions for industrial growth.
“It will open our rivers to commerce and our ports to trade. It is the foundation on which we will build new factories, develop new mines, plough new fields and build new data centres,” he said.
He added that the agreement would also create opportunities for skills development and employment, particularly for young people and women.
“This continental free trade area will enable our people to realise their potential and to develop the skills that will drive the global economy of the future. It will allow the women and youth of this continent to place their energies and capabilities in the service of inclusive growth,” president Ramaphosa said.
However, the South African head of State cautioned that the success of the AfCFTA depends on more than the signing of agreements, urging African governments to address practical barriers that continue to limit trade between countries.
“But agreements alone will not create a continental market,” he said.
“We must remove non-tariff barriers, modernise customs systems, improve transport and logistics, harmonise regulations and establish payment systems that make it easier and less costly for African businesses to trade with one another.”
President Ramaphosa also assigned a key oversight role to the Pan-African Parliament, saying legislators should ensure that commitments made under the AfCFTA are translated into national laws and implemented effectively.
“The Pan-African Parliament must work with national and regional parliaments to domesticate AfCFTA commitments, harmonise legislation and hold governments accountable for implementation,” he said.
Beyond trade and infrastructure, he said African integration should also promote the movement of knowledge, innovation and culture across borders.
“The goal of African integration extends beyond infrastructure, commerce and trade,” he said.
“African integration imagines a continent where knowledge, culture, innovation and ideas flow freely across borders, rivers, mountain ranges and great plains.”
According to president Ramaphosa, the vision of continental integration also requires African countries to address migration collectively.
“It envisages a continent where people are not constrained by the strictures placed upon them by lines drawn on a colonial map.”
“If we are to realise this vision of African unity and integration, we need to collectively attend to the challenges and opportunities of migration,” he emphasised said.
In his welcoming remarks, President of the Pan-African Parliament Hon. Fateh Boutbig called on members to build a Parliament that delivers measurable results for the people of Africa through effective legislation, robust oversight and strengthened parliamentary diplomacy.
The President outlined the legislature vision which is centred on institutional reform, implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), peace and security, democratic governance, digital transformation, and the empowerment of women and youth.
He also reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to supporting the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
“The generations that follow us will judge us not by the number of meetings we held or documents we produced, but by what we achieved for our people.” Hon. Boutbig said.
