Egypt’s El-Khatib says greater private sector role key to advance AfCFTA

Egypt’s Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib urged greater private sector involvement to drive African integration during talks with Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the ministry said Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the fourth African trade ministerial retreat, El-Khatib said supportive legislation and infrastructure are needed to activate the AfCFTA agreement and boost the competitiveness of African products.

He cited financing, connectivity, transport and infrastructure as key obstacles, adding that Egypt is pursuing reform policies and development initiatives to improve the investment climate. El-Khatib also called for accelerating the completion of pending rules of origin, stressing the automotive sector is particularly affected by delays.

Mene described AfCFTA as a tool to spur investment by cutting tariff and non-tariff barriers and creating a more competitive business environment.

Both sides stressed that no country can produce everything alone, underscoring the need for industrial integration through rules of origin accumulation across the continent.

The dialogue concluded with agreement on continued government–private sector engagement, joint working groups to follow up on implementation, and identifying priority areas for cooperation, the statement said.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser