The President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has called on African countries to strengthen intra-continental trade and rethink their approach to global economic relations to improve the continent’s position in the world economy.
She said African countries must move beyond a mindset shaped by poverty and focus on building stronger economic partnerships among themselves to enhance their collective bargaining power in international trade and economic diplomacy.
“We should not approach the world economy or economic diplomacy with a poverty mentality. There is no trust in terms of how we relate to one another. It’s designed not for Africa,” she said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah argued that Africa must recognise the challenges it faces within the global economic system and respond by strengthening its own trade arrangements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She said greater cooperation among African countries would help the continent respond to the pressures of the global economy and create opportunities for more beneficial trade relationships.
“If really we see that we are being squeezed in this global village and we strengthen our continental free trade area and decide to trade among ourselves, the others will come and join us,” she added.
Her remarks underscore the importance of African countries deepening economic integration, building trust among themselves and leveraging the AfCFTA to expand trade within the continent.
The AfCFTA seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, promote economic integration and increase trade among African countries. Strengthening its implementation is widely regarded as an important step towards expanding intra-African commerce and improving the continent’s participation in global trade.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call highlights the need for African countries to approach economic diplomacy with greater confidence and unity while using the continent’s collective economic strength to pursue mutually beneficial partnerships.
Source: Newspyramid.com
