City regions like Gauteng should not be underestimated when it comes to delivering the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).According to Gauteng Premier David Makhura, regional governments and city regions across the continent are committed to realising this free trade area as they understand the value it can create at a local level.Speaking during a recent online event, Makhura said if one was to take cognisance of some of the criticism levelled against the AfCFTA – such as its lack of progress and the fact that some states in Africa were “watering down” the ability of the continent to drive its development agenda – then the opportunity presented by city regions was huge.“Speaking on behalf of regional governments, city and metropolitan regions – in some countries they are called districts – then we are not harnessing the opportunity presented.”He said the structural transformation would not be achieved unless there was also a big push for the AfCFTA from ground level. “Yes, states are important in delivering the AfCFTA goals, exceptionally so, but there is a case to be made for the impact regions such as Gauteng can have. Some of the most dynamic centres or hubs on this continent are regional areas like Gauteng – small spaces that have a significant amount of potential to contribute to this movement of bigger economic improvement for the continent.”He said as important as strong African institutions were to the success of the AfCFTA, and as important as buy-in was from all 55 states, the commitment and work being done by small city regions and districts were equally critical.“These small regions are very committed to trade,” said Makhura, indicating that they also wielded some power.While they were often small in geographical size, it was prudent not to forget their economic impact.If Gauteng, for example, were a country, it would be the 7th largest economy on the African continent. Gauteng also generates approximately 10% of the entire African continent's G D P.The AfCFTA will create the largest free trade area in the world by the number of countries participating and connect 1.3 billion people across 55 countries, with a combined GDP valued at $3.4 trillion. However, to make this a reality, significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures are necessary.“A recent report by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) highlights the importance of Gauteng. This report shows there has been a significant increase in trade between Gauteng businesses and different regions on the continent. In 2018/19 in particular there was phenomenal growth in trade between Gauteng and Africa.”This, he said, was not an accident, but rather thanks to the ongoing concerted efforts by the province to increase intra-African trade and economic integration on the continent. “We continue to systematically and consciously work towards this as our goal.”According to Makhura, despite Covid-19 and the impact it had on trade in 2020, the province remained committed to this goal.“The GGDA is playing an active role in AfCFTA. It is developing and implementing the AFCFTA Gauteng roadmap that will assist Gauteng companies to increase trade and expand operations into the rest of the continent,” he said.If Gauteng was a country, it would be the 7th largest economy on the African continent.– David Makhura“