African Continental Free Trade Area: Experts call for speedy implementation to reap benefits.

The hybrid event organised in Yaounde, was placed under the theme: “Assessing Cameroon’s implementation of AfCFTA”. 

Moderated by the Director of Economics Affairs at the Nkafu Policy Institute, Dr Jean Cedric Kouam, the panel had as experts, Senior Trade Officer at Global Affairs Canada, Eric Dibeu; Head of Research and Publication division at the University of Bertoua, Dr Therese Azeng; and Rouben Tamba Nyepgang of the AfCFTA Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council. 

During the debate, Eric Dibeu explained that the implementation of the AfCFTA in Cameroon since it was enacted into law by a presidential decree after debate in parliament in 2019, has not evolved at the pace it should be, due to a number of challenges being faced.

The challenges in implementation, the economic analyst mentioned, have not been limited to internal factors, but also external exigencies. 

He argued that in order to reap the benefits of AfCFTA, there must be enough political will and the opening up the market for external trade.

“I can say that Cameroon has a culture that is more open to cooperation with other countries but where I find it intriguing is the implementation of AfCFTA. I have not seen any strategy put in place to better reap the benefits of this opening of borders and the potential of our country,” Dibeu said. 

He added that: “Now is the time to put in place a real strategy to take advantage of this political will that is already there in Cameroon”. 

Efforts made

On her part, Dr Azeng observed that, like in several countries, Cameroon’s implementation of the AfCFTA was greatly impeded by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said efforts made by government so far are appreciated though more still needs to be done. 

“The government is trying its best to put things together in order to achieve beyond what was envisaged. There are some Cameroonian products that are capable of competing in markets of other countries,” she stated. 

Dr Azeng further highlighted that government has opted for an approach that targets strategic markets in the sub-region as a way of implementing the AfCFTA.

“The strategy that the government has devised in considering firstly, the biggest countries in the sub-region like DR Congo and Nigeria due to their population and from there moving to other countries is a good approach,” she said.

Illustrating with the experience between Cameroon and Nigeria, the varsity don noted that: “Cameroonian products are well appreciated in Nigeria by Nigerian consumers. So, we have to continue in this approach”. 

However, the integration and trade between Cameroon and Nigeria still face some challenges that need to be address such as bad roads. 

“To reach the rural population who are the ones selling the products is very challenging. We have the problem of organising a favourable business climate. We need to improve on our doing business index,” she added.

With Cameroon being on the right path to reach the objectives of the AfCFTA, Dr Azeng reiterated that government must multiply its efforts.