The African Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana Secretariat has launched the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF) to mobilise the youth to take advantage of the single continental market.
The federation is a league of youth entrepreneurship organisations from across the African continent that serves as a representative voice for young entrepreneurs on AfCFTA.
It among other things seeks to train and build the capacity of youth entrepreneurs, advocate for them when the need arises and further facilitate trade.
Launch
At the launch of the Federation in Accra yesterday, the President of the AfYEF, Mr Sita Sofo Hissan, said the establishment of the AfYEF sought to unite young entrepreneurs in Africa to trade among themselves.
“AfCFTA seems to be what we the youth of Africa need. According to International Monetary Fund reports, more than 330 million people will be taken out of abject poverty in 14 years when AfCFTA is well implemented,” he said.
In attendance at the launch were representatives from the Nigeria High Commission, Denmark Embassy, Ethiopia embassy, Guinea embassy, GIZ and Star Ghana Foundation.
The AfCFTA Secretariat alongside the launch unveiled the federation’s offices to be used as the coordinating point of activities on the Continent.
Registration
In order to encourage and sustain the intra-African trade, the Secretary-General of the AfYEF, Mr Sherif Ghali said, there would be a membership mobilisation drive across the African continent to engage more youth organisations to trade freely.
He, therefore, encouraged all young entrepreneurs in the country to join the federation regardless of the size of their businesses.
“One good thing about AfCFTA is that you can have your business registered in Ghana but still operate in Nigeria or any other African country,” Mr Ghali explained.
He indicated that there would be a dialogue to create awareness about the federation, educate the African youth on AfCFTA and prepare them to trade under the AfCFTA.
Sustainable
For her part, a minister at the Nigeria High Commission, Mrs Esther Adebola Arewa, acknowledged that the success of the AfCFTA was critical to the successful integration of regions on the African continent.
She, therefore, advised the youth not to take for granted the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation platform, saying “please take advantage of those opportunities that abound”.
Meanwhile, the Country Representative of the GIZ, Regina Bauerochse Barbosa said that was the time for the African youth to be creative and innovative across the board.
“You can evaluate ideas, align or realign, and develop concepts and execute business plans that can be sustainable in all seasons,” she said.
She further required the youth to endeavour to create opportunities that put Africa’s rising economy on the path of prosperity.
“The AfCFTA offers Africa a unique opportunity to usher in a new era of development. This is the time for entrepreneurs, especially the young ones to add value to their businesses by being innovative and remain competitive,” Ms Barbosa added.
Source: www.graphic.com.gh
