Opinion
Can trade make a difference in Africa?
Better trade
For many years, Africa, has been a mere price-taker in global trade relations, having little to no influence on markets. It now has an opportunity to transform itself into a price-maker.
The expanded avenues for South-South cooperation, notably intra-African trade through the proposed continental free-trade area, break the monopoly held by developed countries by providing a better environment for African policy making and choice in terms of trade partnerships.
The fundamentals of policy making, infrastructure, capital financing and ensuring linkages between trade and other parts of the economy must be worked upon to make this a sustainable reality.
Carlos Lopes is executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). This opinion piece was first published on his blog.
