The head of state was speaking at the opening of the second edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, branded Biashara Afrika 2024.
The event, taking place at the Kigali Convention Centre from October 9-11, 2024, brings together dignitaries including AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini, Former President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Salim Mvurya Mgala, and other prominent figures from African public and private sectors.
Speaking at the forum, the President emphasized the importance of free movement of goods, services, and people across the continent.
"Removing non-tariff barriers should remain a priority as well as facilitating cross-border movement," Kagame stated.
He highlighted that this would not only promote trade but also allow businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to grow and thrive across Africa.
Kagame acknowledged the challenges faced by the continent in fully realizing the potential of AfCFTA but expressed confidence in Africa's ability to overcome them.
"Africa is capable of coming together to solve our own problems. [...] We must fix our politics and governance, and it all begins with mindset and clarity of vision," he remarked.
Kagame emphasized that the freedom of movement within Africa is critical to fostering unity and economic growth.
"Why shouldn't people of one country freely move across the border to another country across the whole continent? [...] Some people don't move freely within their own borders and it really is all about politics that can be fixed and we must fix it," he observed.
The President underscored the significant progress made since the launch of AfCFTA project, which began in Kigali six years ago followed by the launch of operational phase a year later in Niamey.
He praised Former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou for his leadership in driving the initiative forward.
However, Kagame urged for more urgency in addressing challenges such as high freight and logistics costs.
"Reducing freight logistics and logistics costs would also be a game changer. Africa has some of the highest in the world," he pointed out.
The forum, co-hosted with the Government of Rwanda under the theme "Dare to Invent the Future of the AfCFTA," provides a platform for dialogue between African public and private sectors, multinationals, and other stakeholders.
Participants are discussing the opportunities and challenges of building regional and continental value chains, aiming to establish reliable supply networks essential to the success of intra-Africa trade.
Kagame called for a focus on supporting small and medium enterprises, which he referred to as the backbone of Africa's economy.
He stressed that these businesses, often owned by women and young people, need more support to grow beyond their current size. "They shouldn't remain small and medium; they need to grow," he said.
Kagame also addressed the Marburg virus situation in Rwanda, reassuring participants of the country's efforts to control the outbreak.
"I want to assure you that Rwanda is doing whatever we can to contain and control this virus, but our best cannot amount to anything without the solidarity and support we have enjoyed from Africa CDC and other partners," he said.
In his remarks, expressed appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for co-hosting Biashara Africa 2024, recognising it as a crucial platform for driving Africa's trade integration under the AfCFTA.
So far, more than 30 countries have ratified the instruments of AfCFTA.
Théophile Niyitegeka
