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It is a great pleasure for me to attend the 18th Ordinary session of our
Assembly dedicated to the theme: “Boosting Intra-African Trade”.
Let me from the outset, pay tribute to my brother, President Teodoro
Nguema Mbasogo for his stewardship of our Union through what was,
undoubtedly, a very difficult and challenging year. Under his leadership,
we weathered the storm of the political crises in Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia,
Egypt and Libya.
I wish to congratulate my brother, His Excellency Boni Yayi,
President of the Republic of Benin for his election as new Chairperson of
the African Union. I have no doubt that under his leadership our Union will
build on the progress recorded last year.
Mr. Chairman
It will be remiss of me not to express my gratitude and appreciation to my
friend and brother, His Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of
the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and our host, for his
generous hospitality to me since my arrival in Addis Ababa.
Similarly, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government and
people of the People’s Republic of China for donating and constructing in
record time, a befitting edifice that is now home to the African Union.
This building not only symbolizes the genuine friendship between Africa
and China, but also underlines our commitment to consolidate and
deepen an enduring partnership. I have no doubt that China will sustain
its support for Africa’s economic development in a mutually beneficial
relationship.
I would like to acknowledge and commend Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of
the AU Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
and the African Development Bank for their hard work in the preparations
for this summit.
Your Excellencies,
May I also seize this opportunity to thank you and others outside this
hall, for the expression of support and solidarity in the wake of the recent
spate of terrorist attacks in some parts of my country. Your words of
counsel, more especially, offers of support and cooperation, to deal with
this menace are reassuring to me that Nigeria is not alone in the fight
against terrorism. Indeed, my administration is taking every measure
necessary to speedily tackle this problem.
Mr. Chairman
One year ago, our Assembly met here in Addis Ababa on the theme:
“Shared Values Towards Greater Unity and Integration”. This current
Summit on “Boosting Intra-African Trade”, underscores the imperative of
shared values as the bedrock for achieving integration. Our commitment
as individual Member States, as Regional Economic Communities
(RECs) and as a united continental body, to realize this objective for the
good of all must not waver. Africa’s economic development will be more
difficult to achieve without a free intra-African economic and trading
system. This will, in turn, increase its underdevelopment and
marginalization.
Therefore, we all appreciate the need for Africa to build a formidable
mechanism for internal trade and economic resilience to protect the
continent’s economies from external shocks.
The Lagos Plan of Action, the Abuja Treaty, and the NEPAD Charter,
among other instruments on Africa’s economic integration and
development, adequately address how to make Africa economically
independent and self-sustaining.
It is against the backdrop of these frameworks, that I would like to share
our experience in West Africa regarding economic integration. I should
emphasize in this regard, that the key to enhancing intra-African trade is
the free movement of people, goods and services. In the 37 years since
the formation of ECOWAS, we have witnessed increased access of our
diverse products to larger markets and greater access to larger labour
work-force. Furthermore, it has encouraged our producers to produce
more efficiently based on factors of comparative advantage, specialization
and increased competitiveness. Indeed, it has created wider variety for
consumers thus impacting on prices and ensuring economic stabilization.
Added to these specific economic gains, is the socio-political solidarity
that has accrued amongst us in the sub-region which cannot be
quantified. Our sustained trading contacts have, overtime, also helped to
bridge our socio-cultural differences and lent our countries to harmonious
co-existence. These and other advantages, I believe, justify the need for
consensus here today on the priorities we must pursue, as well as the
measures required, to achieve the goal of an African common market.
Chairman/Your Excellencies,
The projected modest growth of Africa’s GDP to 5% of global GDP by
2020 is anything but assured, given the frequent and sometimes
persistent international economic and financial crises. Consequently, the
necessity for an Action Plan to launch a Continental Free Trade Area
(CFTA), in line with the framework and stages outlined in the Abuja
Treaty, remains unassailable.
My optimism notwithstanding, I should caution against rigidity on a
Continental Free Trade Area. Our experience with setting free trade
targets in West Africa, leads us to believe that the multi-faceted benefits
of a Continental Free Trade Area cannot be achieved without adequate
infrastructure policy, legal, socio-political and cross-border security
frameworks.
Of equal importance, is the need for guaranteed and predictable sources
of funding for the implementation of projects. Indeed, our best efforts can
bear very little fruit unless there is partnership between the public and the
private sectors at the international, continental and national levels.
I should add at this juncture, that a favorable international environment is
also needed to complement our domestic efforts. In this regard, I wish to
call for greater political will and commitment to conclude the Doha trade
negotiations to enable Africa benefit meaningfully from trade as the
engine for development. Other measures must include granting Africa
greater voice, representation and participation in decision making in
international financial and development institutions. Besides, there is
need for consistency, coherence and transparency in dealings with
Africa.
These lessons from our regional perspective are essential and germane
for building a viable, fair and trouble-free Continental Free Trade Area.
Above all, the total package of institutional and systemic enablers must
all be in place. These include the provision of adequate infrastructure,
policy and regulatory frameworks, conducive social, political and
economic environment, financial services and support to businessmen
and women, locally and across borders. If addressed, these measures
will assist in reducing the anticipated adjustment costs, as well as put
less pressure on the compensatory system and ensure a cost-effective
governance architecture for the Continental Free Trade Area.
Excellencies,
It is beyond doubt that our regional economic communities provide the
best platform for accelerating and achieving economic integration.
Therefore, what is required of us is to do more to implement the several
initiatives that we have already adopted aimed at addressing factors such
as infrastructure, productive capacity and science and technology that
inhibit integration efforts. In this regard, I would like to reiterate the view I
expressed last October at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth,
Australia, where I said, “There is need to have a clearer basis for trans-
boundary cooperation to manage common resources like water and
energy and to enable the erection of regional infrastructure that will power
intra-Africa trade which is currently at only 10% of total trade in the
continent”.
Your Excellencies,
In the final analysis, my assessment of the progress towards the
Continental Free Trade Area does not lead me to believe that 2017 is a
realistic target for its take-off. Several of the key enablers that I have
already enumerated, not to mention other challenges and constraints,
remain lacking. For this reason, I am not convinced that by 2017 these
challenges would be overcome to enable the smooth take-off of a trade
regime that caters to the needs of all our countries and RECs.
For the time being, in our words and deeds, we can and must do more, to
realize the objectives of the Programme for Infrastructural Development in
Africa (PIDA), the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA)
Initiative, African Productive Capacity Initiative (APCI), as well as the
Action Plan for Development of Science and Technology, among others. It
is by implementing these plans that we can hasten the emplacement of a
Continental Free Trade Area that would stand the test of time and deliver
on its promise.
Mr. Chairperson,
Before I end my remarks, I would like to recommend that the proposed
CFTA Action Plan and its programmed cluster of activities be regarded by
the Assembly as guidelines to address the identified challenges and
constraints. The launching of the Continental Free Trade Area should
follow at an appropriate and more realistic time. Now is the time for the
Assembly to give consideration to a multi-speed development of the
CFTA to allow States to join at a pace that best suits their needs. After
all, in both the common markets of the European Community (EC) and
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), members were not
required to all join at the same time.
The road to Continental Free Trade Area is far from easy. Member States
need to work on all convergence and fiscal issues including infrastructure,
trade policy, border security, Customs, travel visas/migration,
investments, and judicial governance among others. We are still grappling
with these issues in the entire ECOWAS sub-region.
Your Excellencies,
Taking a gradual, but incremental step toward a CFTA, would accord with
the values of democracy that we espouse across the continent. It will be
difficult in some of our domains, to accede to the CFTA without first
involving our citizens and other stakeholders in frank and open
discussions to reach consensus on strategic national public policy
interests. We must be open to sharing experiences and learning useful
lessons. There are no quick-fixes to integration.
I thank you for your attention.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President Federal Republic of Nigeria
Assembly dedicated to the theme: “Boosting Intra-African Trade”.
Let me from the outset, pay tribute to my brother, President Teodoro
Nguema Mbasogo for his stewardship of our Union through what was,
undoubtedly, a very difficult and challenging year. Under his leadership,
we weathered the storm of the political crises in Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia,
Egypt and Libya.
I wish to congratulate my brother, His Excellency Boni Yayi,
President of the Republic of Benin for his election as new Chairperson of
the African Union. I have no doubt that under his leadership our Union will
build on the progress recorded last year.
Mr. Chairman
It will be remiss of me not to express my gratitude and appreciation to my
friend and brother, His Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of
the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and our host, for his
generous hospitality to me since my arrival in Addis Ababa.
Similarly, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government and
people of the People’s Republic of China for donating and constructing in
record time, a befitting edifice that is now home to the African Union.
This building not only symbolizes the genuine friendship between Africa
and China, but also underlines our commitment to consolidate and
deepen an enduring partnership. I have no doubt that China will sustain
its support for Africa’s economic development in a mutually beneficial
relationship.
I would like to acknowledge and commend Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of
the AU Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
and the African Development Bank for their hard work in the preparations
for this summit.
Your Excellencies,
May I also seize this opportunity to thank you and others outside this
hall, for the expression of support and solidarity in the wake of the recent
spate of terrorist attacks in some parts of my country. Your words of
counsel, more especially, offers of support and cooperation, to deal with
this menace are reassuring to me that Nigeria is not alone in the fight
against terrorism. Indeed, my administration is taking every measure
necessary to speedily tackle this problem.
Mr. Chairman
One year ago, our Assembly met here in Addis Ababa on the theme:
“Shared Values Towards Greater Unity and Integration”. This current
Summit on “Boosting Intra-African Trade”, underscores the imperative of
shared values as the bedrock for achieving integration. Our commitment
as individual Member States, as Regional Economic Communities
(RECs) and as a united continental body, to realize this objective for the
good of all must not waver. Africa’s economic development will be more
difficult to achieve without a free intra-African economic and trading
system. This will, in turn, increase its underdevelopment and
marginalization.
Therefore, we all appreciate the need for Africa to build a formidable
mechanism for internal trade and economic resilience to protect the
continent’s economies from external shocks.
The Lagos Plan of Action, the Abuja Treaty, and the NEPAD Charter,
among other instruments on Africa’s economic integration and
development, adequately address how to make Africa economically
independent and self-sustaining.
It is against the backdrop of these frameworks, that I would like to share
our experience in West Africa regarding economic integration. I should
emphasize in this regard, that the key to enhancing intra-African trade is
the free movement of people, goods and services. In the 37 years since
the formation of ECOWAS, we have witnessed increased access of our
diverse products to larger markets and greater access to larger labour
work-force. Furthermore, it has encouraged our producers to produce
more efficiently based on factors of comparative advantage, specialization
and increased competitiveness. Indeed, it has created wider variety for
consumers thus impacting on prices and ensuring economic stabilization.
Added to these specific economic gains, is the socio-political solidarity
that has accrued amongst us in the sub-region which cannot be
quantified. Our sustained trading contacts have, overtime, also helped to
bridge our socio-cultural differences and lent our countries to harmonious
co-existence. These and other advantages, I believe, justify the need for
consensus here today on the priorities we must pursue, as well as the
measures required, to achieve the goal of an African common market.
Chairman/Your Excellencies,
The projected modest growth of Africa’s GDP to 5% of global GDP by
2020 is anything but assured, given the frequent and sometimes
persistent international economic and financial crises. Consequently, the
necessity for an Action Plan to launch a Continental Free Trade Area
(CFTA), in line with the framework and stages outlined in the Abuja
Treaty, remains unassailable.
My optimism notwithstanding, I should caution against rigidity on a
Continental Free Trade Area. Our experience with setting free trade
targets in West Africa, leads us to believe that the multi-faceted benefits
of a Continental Free Trade Area cannot be achieved without adequate
infrastructure policy, legal, socio-political and cross-border security
frameworks.
Of equal importance, is the need for guaranteed and predictable sources
of funding for the implementation of projects. Indeed, our best efforts can
bear very little fruit unless there is partnership between the public and the
private sectors at the international, continental and national levels.
I should add at this juncture, that a favorable international environment is
also needed to complement our domestic efforts. In this regard, I wish to
call for greater political will and commitment to conclude the Doha trade
negotiations to enable Africa benefit meaningfully from trade as the
engine for development. Other measures must include granting Africa
greater voice, representation and participation in decision making in
international financial and development institutions. Besides, there is
need for consistency, coherence and transparency in dealings with
Africa.
These lessons from our regional perspective are essential and germane
for building a viable, fair and trouble-free Continental Free Trade Area.
Above all, the total package of institutional and systemic enablers must
all be in place. These include the provision of adequate infrastructure,
policy and regulatory frameworks, conducive social, political and
economic environment, financial services and support to businessmen
and women, locally and across borders. If addressed, these measures
will assist in reducing the anticipated adjustment costs, as well as put
less pressure on the compensatory system and ensure a cost-effective
governance architecture for the Continental Free Trade Area.
Excellencies,
It is beyond doubt that our regional economic communities provide the
best platform for accelerating and achieving economic integration.
Therefore, what is required of us is to do more to implement the several
initiatives that we have already adopted aimed at addressing factors such
as infrastructure, productive capacity and science and technology that
inhibit integration efforts. In this regard, I would like to reiterate the view I
expressed last October at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth,
Australia, where I said, “There is need to have a clearer basis for trans-
boundary cooperation to manage common resources like water and
energy and to enable the erection of regional infrastructure that will power
intra-Africa trade which is currently at only 10% of total trade in the
continent”.
Your Excellencies,
In the final analysis, my assessment of the progress towards the
Continental Free Trade Area does not lead me to believe that 2017 is a
realistic target for its take-off. Several of the key enablers that I have
already enumerated, not to mention other challenges and constraints,
remain lacking. For this reason, I am not convinced that by 2017 these
challenges would be overcome to enable the smooth take-off of a trade
regime that caters to the needs of all our countries and RECs.
For the time being, in our words and deeds, we can and must do more, to
realize the objectives of the Programme for Infrastructural Development in
Africa (PIDA), the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA)
Initiative, African Productive Capacity Initiative (APCI), as well as the
Action Plan for Development of Science and Technology, among others. It
is by implementing these plans that we can hasten the emplacement of a
Continental Free Trade Area that would stand the test of time and deliver
on its promise.
Mr. Chairperson,
Before I end my remarks, I would like to recommend that the proposed
CFTA Action Plan and its programmed cluster of activities be regarded by
the Assembly as guidelines to address the identified challenges and
constraints. The launching of the Continental Free Trade Area should
follow at an appropriate and more realistic time. Now is the time for the
Assembly to give consideration to a multi-speed development of the
CFTA to allow States to join at a pace that best suits their needs. After
all, in both the common markets of the European Community (EC) and
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), members were not
required to all join at the same time.
The road to Continental Free Trade Area is far from easy. Member States
need to work on all convergence and fiscal issues including infrastructure,
trade policy, border security, Customs, travel visas/migration,
investments, and judicial governance among others. We are still grappling
with these issues in the entire ECOWAS sub-region.
Your Excellencies,
Taking a gradual, but incremental step toward a CFTA, would accord with
the values of democracy that we espouse across the continent. It will be
difficult in some of our domains, to accede to the CFTA without first
involving our citizens and other stakeholders in frank and open
discussions to reach consensus on strategic national public policy
interests. We must be open to sharing experiences and learning useful
lessons. There are no quick-fixes to integration.
I thank you for your attention.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President Federal Republic of Nigeria
PRESENTATION BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN,
GCFR, ON “BOOSTING INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE” AT THE 18TH AU
ASSEMBLY, JANUARY 29 – 30, 2012, ADDIS ABABA
PROTOCOL
GCFR, ON “BOOSTING INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE” AT THE 18TH AU
ASSEMBLY, JANUARY 29 – 30, 2012, ADDIS ABABA
PROTOCOL
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