Emphasis on a transparent and enabling policy environment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is set to accelerate investments in the tourism, creative and cultural sectors, driving infrastructure and sectoral development.
With 47 of the 54 African Union (AU) member states ratifying the agreement, the baton has been handed to the private sector to seize opportunities provided by trade liberalisation.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has intensified its focus on supporting the tourism and cultural industries, which are among the five priority services sectors included in the protocols of the agreement. This strengthened collaboration was on full display at the 7 th annual African Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) in Gaborone last week. The first day of the event was dedicated to the AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries.
A world of opportunity for businesses
Wamkele Mene , Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, said the adoption of 22 Schedules of Specific Commitments by the AU Assembly opened up a host of opportunities for African tourism businesses and service providers.
