Today’s Topics:

Russia-Africa: Time to Act –interview with Alexander Stuglev – (moderndiplomacy)

Business leaders call for urgent reforms as global economy faces its ‘worst state in a century’- (CNBC)

UK-Ghana partnership yields £80.3m Tema-Aflao road project- (My Joy On line)

The Journey Back to Recovery – Resources to Develop Tourism Sustainably – (World Bank)

Harmonization of standards across Africa is vital to the realization of trade and industrialization potential of the AfCFTA – (UNECA)

Leveraging Special Economic Zones for African Industrialisation and Integration – (This Day)

Emerging technologies can change the African financial landscape – (COINTELEGRAPH)

EAC endorses Kenya's Amina Mohamed for WTO director-general – (The EastAfrican)

Uganda airlines back in the skies, flags off first flight to Nairobi – (The Star)

Ghana to cement position as ECOWAS automobile production hub – (My Joy On line)

AFCFTA: Rules of Origin Negotiations at Concluding Stages – (This Day)

AfCFTA: Continental free trade will reduce value erosion of naira – (Nairametrics)

South Africa Heads the Bureau of the African Ministers of Trade, as Work Towards the Start of Preferential Trade Under the AfCFTA Gains Momentum – (the dtic)

Update on partial re-opening of borders – (sanews)

Namibia registered N$5.1 billion surplus on current account – (New Era Live)

Angola supports strengthening of women's role in combat covid-19 – (EINNews)

INTERNATIONAL

Russia-Africa: Time to Act –interview with Alexander Stuglev - Within the framework of the joint declaration adopted in Sochi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation created a Secretariat of Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. The Secretariat’s primary task is to coordinate efforts for promoting cooperation between Russian and African business associations, ensure political and diplomatic support for projects carried out by Russia’s state-run and private companies in Africa, and coordinating aspects of preparations for future Russia-Africa summits. During its September meeting, the Secretariat created Coordinating Council headed by Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev. Early October, Alexander Stuglev gave an exclusive interview to Modern Diplomacy’s Special Regional Representative, Kester Kenn Klomegah, in which he discussed some aspects of Russia’s plan to raise its economic, investment and trade profile in Africa.

Q: Is it comfortable for you to discuss the key questions that were raised during September meeting of the Secretariat under the slogan “Time to Act” and what is the main advantage to have Roscongress Foundation acting as the coordinator for business-related aspects with Africa?

A: The main objective of the event held in Moscow was to make all stakeholders based in Russia and African States aware of two specialized bodies that were established following the Russia–Africa Summit and Economic Forum in 2019. These are the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat and the Association of Economic Cooperation with African States. The Summit and Economic Forum laid the foundations for further collaboration. The wide-ranging and ambitious task now ahead of us is to create the conditions and to identify opportunities which will allow us to strengthen and increase Russian-African cooperation across the board.Three interdepartmental councils have been established within the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat: a coordinating council, research council, and public council. By working together, these three bodies will enable us to take a comprehensive approach to fulfilling existing and new emerging tasks. We have a great deal of work ahead of us right now, and the outcomes will be discussed at the next Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum, which is set to take place in 2022. For our part, we will continue working hard to promote the African agenda, including at key events organized by the Roscongress Foundation. We will involve all stakeholders in the process, especially our African partners. I have every confidence that the Foundation’s experience, extensive international ties, and expertise will enable us to build an integrated ecosystem which will facilitate effective collaboration between the business, political, and expert communities of Russia and Africa. That is our long-term objective as we see it. (moderndiplomacy)

Key Words: Global Trade, COVID-19, Africa-Russia

Business leaders call for urgent reforms as global economy faces its ‘worst state in a century’ –  Top business leaders say the global economy is facing its worst crisis in a hundred years, and “downside risks remain elevated” unless urgent reforms are enacted during the G-20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in November. “The global economy is in its worst state in a century,” warned Yousef Al-Benyan, chairman of the Business Twenty (B20), a group made up of high-level CEOs from around the world. “The challenging opportunity is to build back better, with real urgency required from policymakers and business leaders,” he added. The B20 is an engagement group that seeks to represent the voice of the global business community across all member states and economic sectors in the Group of 20. As the economic recovery evolves over the next couple of years, downside risks remain elevated.

The group is urging G-20 leaders to undertake “bold and broad based” policy action to put the post-pandemic economic recovery on a stronger, more stable growth path. It said trade tensions, policy uncertainty, geopolitical strains and building financial vulnerabilities were key risks to the outlook, as societies and economies navigate the crippling impact of the coronavirus. “As the economic recovery evolves over the next couple of years, downside risks remain elevated,” Al-Benyan said, raising concern about low productivity growth and rising inequalities. “Business has its share of responsibilities to honor and a substantial role to play in building back an economy that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable,” he added. Saudi Arabia will be the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to host a G-20 summit. The event brings together the leaders of the largest economies of the world to address financial and socioeconomic issues. (CNBC)

Key Words: Global Trade, CNBC, Business

UK-Ghana partnership yields £80.3m Tema-Aflao road project - The United Kingdom-Ghana partnership has brought together funding and expertise to build a new major road system that will create jobs and build expertise across Ghana. A statement issued by the British High Commission (BHM) in Accra, copied the Ghana News Agency, said the partnership has yielded a £80.3 million project to build the Tema-Aflao highway agreed between BHM and the Ministry of Roads and Highways. It said the Tema to Aflao project, which forms part of the ECOWAS coastal expressway, would employ more than 500 Ghanaians, providing them with extensive training. The statement said representatives from the British High Commission had witnessed the signing of a contract that would increase infrastructure and create jobs in the country. It said the Ministry of Roads and Highways had signed the contract with BHM that would see the construction of a major road system. It said the project would improve Ghana’s transport links whilst creating skilled jobs for local people across the country. Mr Iain Walker, the British High Commissioner to Ghana said: “The significant strengthening of Ghana’s road system shows the UK-Ghana partnership at its best; a long-term partnership working for the long-term benefit of Ghana. “Together we are committed to creating opportunities that move beyond aid and towards the trade and investment relationships which drive economic growth and local job creation.” The statement said BHM Construction International is a civil engineering company specialised in airports and roads and the UK-based company had recently increased its capacity across the Sub Saharan market. It said the Tema to Aflao road project, worth £80.3m, would see a major upgrade to the road system between Tema and the border with Togo. According to the statement, the construction of this new section of highway, agreed upon by the ECOWAS nations will strengthen the West African road transport network by forming part of the link between the Ivory Coast and Nigeria and cities en route. (My Joy On Line)

Key Words: Global Trade, Global Economy, Africa

The Journey Back to Recovery – Resources to Develop Tourism Sustainably – Since the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a halt, queues to see the world’s most beautiful, natural wonders have disappeared. Gone are the clicking sounds of photos being snapped of wildlife through big lens cameras. On many island destinations like Hawaii and Fiji, beaches have been devoid of tourists due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.  This is beneficial for the recovery of the environment in the short term, but a catastrophe for national and local economies, communities, and the small and medium enterprises that depend upon nature-based tourism (NBT) for their survival. In fact, in the long term, if tourism does not recover, it will disincentivize communities from promoting natural resource management.   Across Africa, wildlife is the single biggest driver for NBT and much of the tourism takes place in protected areas. A study found that Africa’s 8,400 protected areas generated $48 billion in direct in-country expenditures. These revenues are a key source of financing protected area systems, and as they dry up—taking income, jobs and safety nets for local communities with them— threats to nature such as poaching and logging increase, degrading the very asset on which NBT is built. For example, Maasai Mara Community Conservancies in Kenya used to receive $7.5 million per year in lease fees from tourism partners, which benefited 14,500 landowners and 116,000 community members. Without these payments, local landowners have fewer incentives to support conservation. Uganda Wildlife Authority generated 88% of its revenues from tourism and South African National Parks (SANParks) depended on tourism for 84% of their revenues. In Indonesia, the loss of tourism revenues of up to $6 billion has reduced support for parks and has impacted small businesses that rely on tourists. (World Bank)

Key Words: Global Trade, Global Economy, World Bank

PAN AFRICA

Harmonization of standards across Africa is vital to the realization of trade and industrialization potential of the AfCFTA  –  The report on “Identifying Priority Products and Value Chains for Standards Harmonization in Africa” jointly published by the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and the African Union Commission (AUC) was launched during a webinar to launch a series of Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) publications in support of AfCFTA implementation. The different publications were launched by H.E Mr. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner of the Department of Trade and Industry of AUC and H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of AUC, Dr. Celestine O. Okanya, Chairperson of PAQI, and were moderated by the Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General of ARSO and co-moderated by Dr. Oswald S. Chinyamakobvu, Senior Technical advisor of AUC. Speaking at the webinar, Mr. David Luke, Coordinator of the ATPC, emphasised that the AfCFTA Agreement has the potential to be a game changer for Africa’s industrialization but it is now widely understood that the industrialization and trade potential of the AfCFTA will not be realized without adequate quality infrastructure systems including metrology, standardization, accreditation, quality management and conformity assessment. He further commended the “significant progress in harmonizing standards at the Regional Economic Community (REC) level”, whilst also pointing out that “gaps remain, and efforts by the RECs have not been sufficiently coordinated at the continental level.”

Ms. Lily Sommer, ATPC Trade Expert, presented the main findings and recommendations of the report, highlighting that AfCFTA offers an opportunity for existing RECs to tap into under-exploited market opportunities in other African countries (outside their current RECs). She noted that the report’s analysis identified significant overlap in priority regional value chains (RVCs) for RECs, indicating an entry point to develop competitive between-REC value chains. Common value chains identified across RECs included agro-processing, minerals beneficiation, wood products, irons and steel, cotton and textiles. Ms. Sommer concluded by sharing a list of priority products identified for standards harmonisation based on the analysis, namely, Portland cement, fish, milk, fruits, edible oils, cereals, automobiles and mineral water.  (UNECA)

Key Words: UNECA, AfCFTA, Trade and Industrialization

Leveraging Special Economic Zones for African Industrialisation and Integration – Free Trade Areas are special creation that propel the growth and advancement of many economies worldwide. The FTZ has been successfully deployed from North America to Europe to Asia. Africa’s embrace of the model is now more than critical in view of the advent of the Africa Continental Free Trade Zone. Agressive adoption of free zone model and its best practices are compulsory for Africa to realize the contient’s desire to advance industrially. Free Zones are forms of economic integration wherein all barriers of trade are eliminated; however, each country is allowed to retain its own barriers with non-members otherwise known as third countries. Generally speaking, there are various kinds of economic integration ranging from free trade areas to customs union, common markets and economic unions. The practice is for countries to start with the lowest form and graduate to higher stages over time. There are expected benefits to a Free Trade Area formation. Nations are likely to receive benefits through increased competition, economies of scale, stimulus to investment and better utilization of resources. In Nigeria, the Free Zone Program was introduced in 1992 through the enactment of Act No. 63 of 1992 which provided for the establishment of Special Economic Zones in Nigeria. The Act empowered the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority as the sole government agency responsible for establishing, licensing, regulating and monitoring of Free Zones/Export Processing Zones in Nigeria. The main goal for establishing the Special Economic Zone scheme in Nigeria is to improve the investment climate by providing a competitive incentive regime, streamline administrative procedures and offer world class infrastructure aimed at attracting capital investment for industrial development. (This Day)

Key Words: AfCFTA, AU, COVID-19

Emerging technologies can change the African financial landscape – Africa is the home to 1.2 billion people and what has been described as the world’s largest trade area — the African Continental Free Trade Area. Africa is forging a new path to driving development, and access to financial services will play a significant role in its economic growth. The need to provide improved systems for poverty reduction, if not alleviation, is further accentuated when one considers that 416 million Africans live in extreme poverty, and access to financial services is right at the heart of the solution. In a review of the impact of financial inclusion on economic growth, the World Bank argues that “such services must be provided responsibly and safely to the consumer, and sustainably to the provider.” Construed appropriately, financial inclusion has the potential to reduce poverty and inequality by helping disadvantaged groups to benefit from opportunities that otherwise would not have been available. Innovation in financial services through time has expanded access to and improved financial inclusion globally. Traditionally, these have been in the form of the proliferation of banks and other financial institutions, decongesting banking services, and the development of microfinance, microcredit, microsavings, microinsurance, among other such services. Despite this expansion, regions such as Africa lag behind in financial inclusion, with implications for financial intermediation, value creation and, ultimately, economic growth. Data from the 2017 global financial access database shows that the number of adults in Africa with bank accounts is way below the median mark of 50%. (COINTELEGRAPH)

Key Words: Africa, trade, COVID-19

EAST AFRICA

Uganda airlines back in the skies, flags off first flight to Nairobi –-  Uganda Airlines yesterday resumed commercial flights from Entebbe, flagging off its first flight from the Entebbe International Airport to Nairobi. The Ugandan airport closed down 6 months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to suspension of service for the airline. Other destinations the airline will resume operations to include Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Zanzibar and Mombasa. “We have now embarked on our expansion drive that was brought to a halt by the pandemic, we will soon start flying to more African nations,” said Cornwell Muleya, CEO, Uganda Airlines. The airline introduced the Entebbe-Mogadishu airline yesterday as it resumed operations. In its expansion strategy the airline is also expected to bring in two airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet, and will be the first airline in Africa to operate them. This will aid them in their international route expansion as they plan to start flying to UAE, China and the United Kingdom in 2021. Uganda is one of Kenya’s top tourism marketer, according to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) currently ranked number one in Africa and number two globally in terms of arrivals into Kenya. In 2019 Kenya received 215,894 visitors from Uganda, a 5.4 per cent increase over the previous year. (The Star)

Key Words: East Africa, Business, Trade

EAC endorses Kenya's Amina Mohamed for WTO director-general – The East African Community (EAC) has endorsed the candidature of Kenya's Amina Mohamed to head the World Trade Organisation, in the latest boost to her bid. The endorsement was announced on Sunday just two days before the global trade regulator names the two contenders for the final round of the race. Rwanda's Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, who chairs the EAC Council of Ministers, said on Sunday Ms Mohamed had received support from member countries following a request by EAC chairman President Paul Kagame for her endorsement. "Reference is made to the favourable responses received from all states of the East African Community on the…request to support the candidature of the Republic of Kenya of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. "I would like to inform you that the Ambassador Amina C Mohamed is endorsed as the candidature of the East African Community to the post of the Director-General of the World Health Organisation," Dr Biruta wrote to counterparts in Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan. Ms Mohamed is among five candidates who qualified for round two of the tests, whose results will be made known on October 6 with the announcement of the two finalists. The other contenders are Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, Ms Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, Mr Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of Saudi Arabia, and Dr Liam Fox of the United Kingdom.  The director-general of the WTO is appointed through consensus, meaning candidates have to do lots of horse-trading. Endorsements like the one by  EAC can help a candidate amass that broad agreement among WTO member states. The new director-general of the 164-member WTO will be announced by December this year. (The EastAfrican)

Key Words: East Africa, Business, Trade

WEST AFRICA

Ghana to cement position as ECOWAS automobile production hub – Ghana will cement its position as West African’s automotive production hub in the coming years, according to Fitch Solutions, research arm of ratings agency Fitch. The report noted the expected dominance of the nation in the automobile space in West African is due to the comprehensive policy by the government. “We believe developments in Ghana’s metals sector (steel and aluminium in particular) raises the potential for the country’s nascent autos industry to move up the value chain.” In August this year, President Akufo-Addo laid the foundation stone of an aluminium metal casting factory and CNC machine tooling centre, which creates opportunities for automotive component manufacturing in the country. It added: “aluminium products such as aluminium alloy wheels, transmission housings and certain engine components such as piston rods and cylinder heads could thus be manufactured locally.” “The trend towards light weighting (due to aluminium’s weight reduction properties being beneficial for fuel efficiency) in the autos industry raises opportunities for more aluminium content in vehicles especially as Ghana’s automotive industry develops further”, it noted. Volkswagen and China’s state-owned, Sinotruck, have begun the assembly of vehicles in the country, while Toyota is still in the process of completing its vehicle assembly plant and Nissan is set to begin assembly soon. The UK based research firm said ‘we believe this creates opportunities for these automakers to utilise domestic aluminium and steel autos related products, thus enabling the automotive industry to potentially utilise locally sourced metals.”  Nigeria which is ECOWAS automobile sales leader in volume terms, according to the report, has not captured the appeal of automakers due to policy uncertainty and a tough operating environment. Fitch said aluminium products such as aluminium alloy wheels, transmission housings and certain engine components such as piston rods and cylinder heads could thus be manufactured locally.  (My Joy On Line)

Key Words: West Africa, Regional Integration, Business

AFCFTA: Rules of Origin Negotiations at Concluding Stages – The Acting Director General of the Nigerian office of Trade Negotiations, Liman Victor Liman has said that his office has negotiated and almost concluded the rules of origin to pave way for Nigeria’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Liman disclosed this on the sidelines of a meeting with the Visiting Secretary General of AfCFTA, Mr. Mene Wamkele to Lagos, recently. Rules of origin is the criteria needed to determine the nationality of a product that could make or break the AfCFTA process. He said: “We have made a lot of progress and as today, we have negotiated and almost concluded the rules of origin to pave way for Nigeria’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.” Liman added: “As part of the agreement, It is proposed that ‘Value add’ should be between 30 and 45 per cent.”  Liman further said the COVID-19 pandemic prevented parties from going on with physical negotiations. He said: We may never be completely ready but we have engaged thoroughly to ensure that people understand the agreements.”
 

The AfCFTA Secretary General in his remarks noted that the secretariat has been listening to stakeholders and getting the views of what they expect from the agreement. Wamkele said:” It is Africa last opportunity to integrate our Market to ensure predictability and certainty of our market. We need to make sure that we place Africa on the value-added economies and eventually it will get to intellectual property rights and electronic payments. “ Wamkele also hinted that they are discussing with Afreximbank for the payment and settlement platforms without any currency convertibility or asking people to go through correspondence bank outside Africa. (This Day)

Key Words: West Africa, Regional Integration, AfCFTA

AfCFTA: Continental free trade will reduce value erosion of naira –The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will reduce the erosion of the naira, which has suffered nearly 90% devaluation since 2016, through exports of Nigerian made goods and services, and give exposure of the naira to other currencies. This was disclosed by Mr. Francis Anatogu, Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, in an interview with TVC News on Friday afternoon. Mr. Anatogu said, “As a nation, we recognized the need to diversify from oil; we need to improve exports to grow our GDP,” He added that Nigeria was meant to take preemptive actions before joining the WTO, like the creation of a trade remedy mechanism. He said trade remedy is an area that has been identified by the National Action Committee to ensure Nigeria is not used for dumping. “We are starting with short term measures (trade remedies), and eventually submitting the bill to the National Assembly,” Nairametrics reported last week that the FG is working on trade remedies to protect Nigerian producers from unfair and injurious trade practices from foreign companies that harm domestic industries, which are key factors for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This was disclosed on Thursday by the Head, Trade Remedies Unit National office for Trade Negotiations, Tola Onayemi, at the AfCFTA Sensitization Seminar, organized by the National Action Committee of the implementation of the agreement. On Nigeria’s preparedness for the AfCFTA

Mr. Anatogu said, “We understand how to deal with preferential trade, and are in a better position than a number of African countries.” Naiarametrics also reported last week that Yewande Sadiku, CEO of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), said Nigeria is more ready for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), due to Nigeria’s domestic market manufacturing value addition capacity, which is 7 times the average of the top 20 economies in Africa and other. Mr. Anatogu cited the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization measures, which is not perfect, however, the FG understands the gaps and specific actions that need to be in place to close it. “Even as trade starts, implementation will take longer time; when implementation is agreed, it needs to be quoted in tariff books,” (Nairametrics)

Key Words: West Africa, Regional Integration, AfCFTA

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Update on partial re-opening of borders  – Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has convened an inclusive meeting involving senior immigration officials and ports of entry managers to address challenges arising from the implementation of regulations pertaining to travel into the country. This also includes the opening of the tourism industry and promoting trade in order to stimulate economic recovery. Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane was consulted prior and during the meeting and fully endorses its outcome.

Visa free status - The visa free status of citizens of some countries and territories was temporarily suspended at the start of the lockdown period. In line with government commitment to take urgent steps to address the economic and tourism stagnation brought about by the outbreak of COVID-19, the visa free status of citizens from the following countries and territories has been re-instated: South Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, UK, France, Portugal and Iran. However, the visa free status does not alter the current COVID-19 regulations. Minister Motsoaledi has instructed officials to communicate this decision to the aviation industry, embassies and other stakeholders as a matter of urgency.

Guideline regulating movement of goods - “The port managers have been instructed to adhere to the SADC protocol and guidelines regulating the movement of essential goods under COVID-19 regulations. “The guidelines regulating truck drivers travelling across the border will continue to apply as has been the case for the past seven months,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.  The department said in view of the confusion regarding the 72 hours negative test requirement, it reiterated that business persons providing services across the borders of SADC are allowed multiple entry subject to producing a certificate of negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure. This certificate is valid for 14 days. Minister Motsoaledi is fully aware of the issue of airline and maritime crews and he has been informed that the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, is resolving the matter and a statement to that effect will hopefully be issued by the Minister of Transport today. “Immigration officers will be required to assess the movement and place of origin of the traveller and not the country of origin of the airline concerned. “Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce the 72 hours negative certificate,” the department said.  (sanews)

Key Words: SA, Regional Integration, Trade

Namibia registered N$5.1 billion surplus on current account – Namibia registered a surplus on the current account during the second quarter of 2020, mainly due to a merchandise trade surplus and an increase in secondary income inflows. The current account recorded a surplus of N$5.1 billion, which is a turnaround from a deficit of N$1.9 billion at the same time last year.  According to the Bank of Namibia’s quarterly bulletin, the surplus was attributed to the merchandise trade balance that reflected a significant decline in import payments and an increase in export earnings coupled with the higher Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) earnings.   Emma Haiyambo, the central bank’s Director of Strategic Communications and Financial Sector Development, stated that the financial account balance registered net lending to the rest of the world, mainly supported by outflows observed in other investment and foreign reserves. She said the stock of international reserves stood at N$31.8 billion, representing an import cover of 6.5 months at the end of the second quarter of 2020. 
“At the end of the second quarter of 2020, Namibia’s international investment position recorded an increased net asset position of N$6.9 billion compared to a net liability position of N$11.1 billion a year ago. The Namibia Dollar weakened against all major trading currencies over the year to the second quarter of 2020 on the back of growing concerns over the impact of Covid-19,” she stated. On the fiscal front, the report revealed that the central government’s budget deficit is estimated to widen considerably during the fiscal year 2020/21. The central government’s total debt as a percentage of GDP stood at 58.7% at the end of June 2020, from 49.2% a year earlier. (New Era Live)

Key Words: Trade, Regional Integration, Namibia

Angola supports strengthening of women's role in combat covid-19 – The country’s stance was expressed Friday at the meeting of Women African Leaders Network (AWLN) by the Angola's permanent representative to the United Nations. Maria de Jesus Ferreira described the crisis as setback for many gains related to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Angolan ambassador said that the situation has a negative impact on political stability and peace-building process in many regions. Therefore, she added, it exacerbates the vulnerability of women in some issues, such as unemployment, digital exclusion, gender-based violence and exclusion from decision-making positions. The diplomat said that despite the measures adopted by Angola to contain the spread of the virus, the country has, so far, 5.211 positive cases of Covid-19, 189 deaths, 2.215 recovered and 2,807 actives. Stressing the government’s effort to curb the pandemic, the diplomat mentioned the State of Emergency, declared by the President João Lourenço, aimed to confine many people at their homes to reduce contamination risk among people. The measures also feature the creation of the Multi-Sector Commission to ensure the prevention and combat pandemic, the creation of a National Plan of Contingency and the Decree on the situation of Public Calamity, in force in the country. AWLN meeting discussed ways to improve the role of the female class in governance and leadership in responding to covid-19 and thereby promoting their political and economic empowerment, as well as increasing the executions outlooks for girls and adolescents. (EINNews)

Key Words: Trade, COVID-19, Angola

South Africa Heads the Bureau of the African Ministers of Trade, as Work Towards the Start of Preferential Trade Under the AfCFTA Gains Momentum – South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel has been elected as the chair of the Ministerial body tasked with finalising negotiations on the terms for the commencement of the preferential trade under the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He takes the leadership of the African Ministers of Trade (AMOT) three months prior to the start of trading under the AfCFTA and with the continent still in the grip of the Covid-pandemic, with 1,5 million people on the continent infected to date. Three other Ministers were elected as Vice-Chairpersons, from Egypt, Sierra Leone and Kenya and the Minister of Gabon will serve as Rapporteur of the Bureau of AMOT. Minister Patel chaired the first virtual meeting of AMOT on 30 September 2020, attended by Trade Ministers and senior officials from more than 40 countries. The AMOT meeting outcome confirmed the commitment of countries to the start of preferential trade under the AfCFTA on 1 January 2021. Currently there are 28 AU Member States that have deposited their instruments of ratification of the Agreement. Two additional countries have ratified the Treaty and their formal depositing of the ratification instruments are now awaited. The Ministers emphasised the importance of ratification by AU member states to enhance inclusiveness in preferential trade under the AfCFTA and therefore encourage members to ratify the Agreement. Minister Patel said that since the last meeting of AMOT the world has changed dramatically, with a pandemic that has deeply affected lives, the economy and societies. He indicated that from this experience we drew two basic lessons: (the dtic)

Key Words: Trade, Regional Integration, AfCFTA