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1d agoMOSES ODHIAMBONews
President William Ruto has voiced his support for the formation of a Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) that will unite three major regional economic blocs.
According to Ruto, the implementation of this initiative bringing together the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will create a single market of 700 million people.
This, he said, will go a long way to unlock vast economic potential across the continent.
Speaking when he met Botswana’s President Duma Boko in Accra, Ghana, Ruto highlighted that the TFTA, alongside proposed reforms within the African Union (AU), could be a game-changer for Africa.
He stated that by removing trade barriers, improving market access, and encouraging intra-African trade, TFTA has the potential to significantly boost economic growth in the continent.
“Alongside the proposed African Union reforms, this free trade area will unlock Africa's potential, expand opportunities, alleviate poverty and leverage shared prosperity,” he said.
During the talks, the two leaders also reached a deal to have Botswana support Kenya’s candidacy in the race for the Africa Union Commission chairperson seat.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was present during the meeting.
“President Boko pledged his support for Hon Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission chairperson bid,” said Ruto.
The Head of State who has been in Ghana for the inauguration of President John Mahama is expected back in the country Wednesday.
During his trip, he used the opportunity to rally member states to back Kenya’s bid for the seat.
On Tuesday, he held separate talks with President Faure Gnassingbé (Togo) and Teodoro Nguema, Equatorial Guinea’s vice president, both who pledged support for Raila.
The elections are slated for February.
Raila will be squaring it out with Djbouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar to replace the current chairperson Moussa Faki.
Faki, who hails from Chad, has served two terms of four years each, with his second and final term expiring in February 2025.
