AFRICA ON THE MOVE FOR POVERTY ELIMINATION

                                                   

African countries have been called upon during the 13th session of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) to explore new and progressive initiatives that will lift it's people out of poverty.

The summit which was held virtually in light of the global Covid-19 health pandemic has put into motion the free trade treaty which was launched in 2018 in Kigali Rwanda that will create a giant continental market of 1.3 billion people with about 2.3 trillion US dollars.

When addressing the summit, current African Union (AU) chairperson and president of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa said the AFCTA is an initiative to create an integrated prosperous continent.

He said the AFCTA provides an opportunity for the growth of the private sector which he said must rise to the occassion by supporting the continental efforts through human and financial capital.

His Excellency - Cyril Ramaphosa 

He said, :"This our treaty presents immense opportunities for the private sector in Africa and will be a catalyst for the development and expansion of private enterprise on our continent. We call on the private sector to be our partners in this journey and provide support to this continental effort through the development of human and financial resources and investments in the areas such as infrastructure and technology ".

Adding in his speech, the AU chair said the treaty must facilitate greater acfews for women on trade and investment opportunities.

In his remarks, chairperson of the African Commission Moussa Faki Mahatma said the trade treaty is a game changer for the continent of Africa.

"We are now fulfilling an old dream of the founding fathers that is it's establishment and all the African markets, since 1963 to date, it has been a long way despite all the hiccups that they have faced and the natural disasters like Covid-19 this Africa has faced". Said Mahatma.

Secretary general of the AFCTA Wamkele Mene hailed a recent World Bank study which noted that if implemented effectively, the AFCTA has potential to lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and 70 million out of moderate poverty by 2035.

Mene - It will take resolute determination

He said, "As much progress as we have made, integrating 55 markets will not be easy, it will be difficult, it will be a daunting task, it will take resolute determination decade after decade. However, to throw our hands in the air and say the task is too difficult is not an option "

Fifty four countries have signed up for the African Continental Free Trade Area which is expected to come in full course on 1 January 2021.

MW, MOZA STRENGTHENS RAILWAY SYSTEM

 The countries of Malawi and Mozambique have engaged each other in rehabilitating the railway lines which for long time has linked the two countries as a way of reviving the mode of transport.

The project, will in other scenario help in softening transportation cost in Malawi which is currently high among all Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)  countries.

According to Malawi ministry of transport statistics, the average cost for rail and road transport is as high as 10 dollars per tonne than 7 dollars per tonne which is a recommended cost in the region.

On Malawi side, the rehabilitation of the railway line will be from Limbe to Sadama and also from Marka in Nsanje to Bangula in Chikwawa by joint efforts between Central and East Africa Railway (CEAR) and Malawi government respectively.

According to Malawi ministry of transport spokesperson Andrew Mthiko, some processes have already began in ensuring that the future of the project is intact and impressive.

He said, :"We have started the procurement process by tendering out and people have submitted bids. We are evaluating the bids and we expect that by the end of this month a consultant will be identified. "

"some processes have alreadt began"-Mthiko

On Mozambique side, the rehabilitation of the line will be via Sena Line through the Mutarara-Vila Nova de Fronteira and Vila Nova da Fronteira -Bangula branch.

Mozambican minister of transport and communications Janfar Abdulai said they are also on the move in ensuring the progress of the project.

He said, :"Funds are being raised through traditional international cooperation partners to furnish the project. The second phase of the project would see the Beira-Lilongwe section being established. "

"funds are being raised"-Abdulai

The branch line is 115 Kilometres long, of which 44 Kilometres are on the Mozambican side between Dona Ana and Vila Nova da Fronteira, and the remaining 71 Kilometres on the stretch from Vila Nova da Fronteira to Nsanje-Bangula in Malawi.

The intention behind connecting the Sena Line, between Mutarana and Bangula, is to easily export Sugare to the European market through the port of Beira.

Sugar is in the top five of Malawi exports and the European Union is it's main export partner with almost 50 percent of exports. on the other hand, Mozambique Sugar confectionery accumulated to about 91.4 million dollars in 2019.

Mozambique injects USD30m

The resumption of the rail link follows the understandings between the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi, and his Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, in October, when the two leaders met in Tete.

The official signing of the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) after the two leaders met, was done in Beira by Mozambique's Minister of Transport and Communications, Janfar Abdulai and Malawi's Minister of Transport and Public Works, Sidik Mia.