Mahama pledges to push for Caribbean inclusion in AfCFTA when he assumes AU chairmanship

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to champion the inclusion of Caribbean nations in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) during his tenure as chair of the African Union (AU). Speaking alongside Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Kingston on Monday, August 3, Mahama emphasized that expanding the trade bloc to encompass the Caribbean would bolster economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean, opening up fresh prospects for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

He acknowledged that achieving this goal would necessitate deliberate actions, focusing on infrastructure development, logistics enhancements, and broadening market access. Mahama highlighted that while immediate results may not be instantaneous, the African Union's framework offers a means to harmonize standards, certify products, and connect producers and buyers across participating markets.

He further emphasized the potential of digital payment systems facilitated by the AU to facilitate intra-African trade, enabling countries to settle transactions in local currencies. As the AU's chair, Mahama intends to advocate for the Caribbean's integration into the AfCFTA, viewing this partnership as a vital avenue for deepening South-South cooperation and advancing shared economic interests.