The ingredients for export success in Africa

“African countries can
increase trade amongst
themselves if they back
the political commitment
to integration as contained
in various regional trade
agreements with the
appropriate policies and
actions,” World Trade
Organisation deputy
director-general Valentine
Rugwabiza said in
Johannesburg recently.
And debunking the
entrenched view that Africa
cannot trade with Africa, he
pointed out that Kenya had
shown that increased trade
with other African countries
was possible within the right
framework.
“The majority of Kenya’s
exports (over 50%) are
destined for other
Comesa member states,
particularly Tanzania and
Uganda. It is also among
the largest foreign investors
in these countries.”
South Africa, he added,
had also seen its trade with
SADC member states and
other African countries
such as Nigeria, Ghana and
Kenya blossom.
“MTN, the South African
telecommunications
operator, is now operating
in 16 African countries
and a significant
portion of its profits is
increasingly coming from
these countries. South
African retailers are also
establishing a footprint in
many African countries.”
All of these success
stories show that with the
right regulatory frameworks
and political will, the
potential for trade amongst
African countries could be
unlocked and contribute
tremendously to the growth
and development goals of
the continent, he said.