16th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholder Conference: Journey of Self-Reliance, Unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
The theme of this year conference is to ”Journey of Self -Reliance: unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement”. The purpose of the conference is to create a platform for strategic dialogue and evidence-based guidance within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The premise is that an evidence-based understanding of agricultural marketing and trade policy impacts can assist African governments, private firms and civil society groups to anticipate and effectively respond proactively to the emerging challenges in the region.
The conference participants include a range of stakeholders actively engaged in the African Agricultural Sector. These include; Regional Economic Community and relevant government ministries respective, farmer organization, private-sector organization, academia, development think tanks, research organization (national and international), development agencies and donor community.
The key objectives of the 6th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholders’ Conference are to:
- Unpack the potential impact of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on the agri-food system and identify concrete policy-action to ensure its success;
- Outline strategy for prioritizing targeted public investment that facilitates scale production within key value-chains;
- Develop a 5-point agenda on expanding sustainable production to meet the regions’ growing food demand;
- Enhance engagement of African parliamentarians and government officials on issues pertaining to regional trade.
- Assess the operational feasibility of alternative policy options by clearly identifying concrete strategies that address the challenges to trade – i.e., focusing on the “how” questions
Dr. Zena Mpenda (Department of Food and Resource Economics -DeFRE, Sokoine University of Agriculture) presenting on the prioritization and public investments along the key value chain in Tanzania
Dr Zena Mpenda (Department of Food and Resource Economics -DeFRE, Sokoine University of Agriculture) and Prof Isaac Minde(Michigan University) chart after ReNAPRI conference on 21st November 2019
African is on move! July 7th, 2019 marked the launched of the operational phase of the AfCFTA. The objective is to bring together all 55 members state of the African Union into one of the world’s largest free trade:
- Boost Inta-African trade by at least 52% (UNECA) through the reduction of import duties and improved harmonization of trade liberation and facilitation instrument across the REC’s
- Increase the competitiveness of African Industry by providing opportunities and for scale production, continental market access and improved resource allocation (TRALAC,2019);
- Meeting the growing food demand which is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030 (Afdb,2018)
However, if Africa is to realize this potential, there are challenges that will need to be addressed. Coherent domestic marketing and trade policies are needed to encourage the required private investment in agriculture commodity value chain that will achieve sustainable productivity growth. In the face of this challenge, the valid question arises as to whether or not the transformation narrative on the continent will falter. To ensure sustainable transformation will require committed and innovative leadership, transparent accountability; and evidence that will allow for accurate measurement of progress.
To find the solution to these challenges, ReNAPRI’s engaged a diverse group of highly informed stakeholders committed to unlocking the regional agricultural potential. the session was geared to identify effective policies and innovative public and private sector investment which will open markets and facilitate broad-based growth.
Therefore, the conference brought stakeholders awareness on the challenges of unlocking the potential of the African continental free trade agreement and identify effective various approaches for implementing programs that address these challenges and strong linkage and new partnership opportunities among the various stakeholders.
