Egypt chairs AfCFTA ministerial session to advance continental trade integration

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib on Monday chaired a virtual supplementary session of the 17th Ministerial Meeting of African Trade Ministers for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The session, building on discussions from the 17th Council meeting held in Cairo in September, aimed to advance implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and strengthen Africa’s role in global trade, El-Khatib said.

Under Egypt’s current chairmanship, ministers focused on rules of origin for textiles and garments, reaching consensus to complete negotiations and endorse ministerial guidance to support local manufacturing and enhance African value chains. The session also reviewed the AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights, finalising annexes on trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and traditional knowledge ahead of submission to the African Union Summit.

The ministers additionally examined the AfCFTA Secretariat’s finances and a proposal to raise the tariff liberalisation modalities threshold to 97 per cent of lines by 2027. El-Khatib pledged Egypt’s continued support to implement the meeting’s recommendations and promote a unified African market.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser