Experts Advocate Free Trade to Combat Global Crises in Africa

At a policy forum organized by TrustAfrica, Abdouli Janneh, the former United Nations Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, stated that implementing a free trade mechanism is essential for reducing the impact of global crises on Africa. He noted that 50 African countries are not adequately prepared to address these crises, which include rising fuel and food prices exacerbated by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.

Janneh emphasized the importance of African nations trading among themselves to provide goods and services effectively. Garuba Dauda, the Submiss Director of TrustAfrica, reiterated that global conflicts have already disrupted African economies, particularly affecting grain supplies in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Former Tunisian Minister of Economy and Finance, Hakim Hammouda, warned that existing structural challenges in African economies could worsen due to these crises, particularly in agriculture and industry, leading to economic stagnation. The forum aimed to explore strategies to strengthen Africa's resilience against global shocks.