South Africa's first shipment and preferential trading deal under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be shipped from the Port of Durban on January 31.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the launch ceremony at Durban Container Terminal 2, on the sidelines of the 13th AfCFTA Council of Ministers which started in the port city on Tuesday, January 30.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel, KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene and members of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers will also be present at the event.
South Africa is the first among the four SACU (Southern African Customs Union) countries to realise the AfCFTA Agreement practically.
The 37th African Union Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government will at its annual convention in February 2024 take stock of the progress made so far in the implementation of the AfCFTA.
“The successful implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes and most importantly, broaden economic inclusion both in South Africa and the rest of the Continent,” Ramaphosa said.
AfCFTA will provide South African exporters with new opportunities to access key markets on the continent to boost economic growth.
