Ethiopia committed to Africa’s integration agenda: President Sahle-Work

Addis Ababa, December 5, 2020 (FBC) – President Sahle-Work Zewde has expressed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to Africa’s integration agenda.

She made the remark today at the 13th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“I wish to reaffirm Ethiopia’s unflinching commitment to our continental integration agenda as demonstrated by the withdrawal of our initial reservations during our Summit in February,” she said.

According to the President, the establishment of the AfCFTA, Africa’s flagship project, is a crucial step in fulfilling the integration agenda of the continent.

In her remark, the President also put forward recommendation to maximize the benefit of women and youth from the continental free tread area.

“If the AfCFTA is to work for women and youth, we must strengthen their pathways to gain access to financing and markets to enable their full participation in trade liberalization,” she said.

“We must have a dedicated protocol for the inclusion and empowerment of women in trade.”