AfCFTA Coordination Office, AUDA-NEPAD, CILT hold discussions on Supply Chain and Logistics Centre of Excellence at National Level
The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) has collaborated with the Ghana AfCFTA National Office to co-convene a Technical Expert Meeting for the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Supply Chain and Logistics (SCL CoE). In Accra, this meeting aimed to drive industrialization and manufacturing growth within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The SCL CoE is part of a network of five Centres established by AUDA-NEPAD to promote capitalization of knowledge for development solutions across key sectors, including Energy and Climate Resilience, Human Capital and Institutions Development, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Rural Resources and Food System.
Dr. Fareed Arthur, Coordinator of the Ghana National (AfCFTA) Office, highlighted the importance of the African Union's Agenda 2063, placing a strong emphasis on rapid industrialization and manufacturing within Africa. He underscored that AfCFTA Supply Chain and Logistics are key drivers for trade and that there is a demand for African countries to invest more to improve manufacturing capacity through regional and national industrial development strategies.
Dr. Arthur explained that the AfCFTA recognizes supply chain logistics as crucial for fostering trade, particularly with global supply chain disruptions. He further emphasized that supply chain and logistics are essential for the successful implementation of the single continental market.
Chief Tetete Owusu Nortey, incoming first African Global President of the Charted Institute Logistics and Transport, urged businesses and the private sector to play a pivotal role in Africa's economy. He emphasized the need for greater attention to supply chain infrastructure and advocated for the resuscitation of the former NEPAD Foundation in all five AU regions.
The SCL CoE's role within the AfCFTA framework transcends enhancing supply chain efficiency and supporting intra-African trade to developing capacities that aid industrialization. By ensuring Africa's industries have the necessary infrastructure, skills, policies, and digital integration, the Centre of Excellence promotes an environment conducive to manufacturing growth and global competitiveness. This, in turn, supports broader AUDA-NEPAD initiatives such as youth and SME empowerment and the sustainable transition to renewable energy.
- The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) collaborated with the Ghana AfCFTA National Office to emphasize the importance of rapid industrialization and manufacturing within Africa.
- The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Supply Chain and Logistics (SCL) are key drivers for trade, and there is a demand for African countries to invest more to improve manufacturing capacity through regional and national industrial development strategies.
- Dr. Fareed Arthur, Coordinator of the Ghana National (AfCFTA) Office, stated that the AfCFTA recognizes supply chain logistics as crucial for fostering trade, particularly with global supply chain disruptions.
- The SCL CoE's role within the AfCFTA framework includes developing capacities that aid industrialization and supporting intra-African trade.
- Intra-African trade capacities, according to the SCL CoE, are achieved through ensuring Africa's industries have the necessary infrastructure, skills, policies, and digital integration.
- Chief Tetete Owusu Nortey, incoming first African Global President of the Charted Institute Logistics and Transport, urged businesses and the private sector to play a pivotal role in Africa's economy, advocating for greater attention to supply chain infrastructure.
- The SCL CoE's efforts support broader AUDA-NEPAD initiatives such as youth and SME empowerment and the sustainable transition to renewable energy in education-and-self-development sectors, including online-education and learning.
