Thorough research and continuous interaction between researchers and policy makers is crucial to ensure the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) delivers for the continent, in particular consolidating African markets into a single market of more than 1.2 billion people and a GDP of over US$2.5 trillion.
This was said by Stephen Karingi, Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in a keynote address to the Seventh Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Annual Research Forum on the theme; “Harnessing Intra- COMESA Trade through the Interface with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”.
“By investing in capacitating researchers and enabling their interaction with decision-makers, the forum enhances the quality of research outputs. It also facilitates the uptake of research findings and recommendations towards moving forward COMESA’s and Africa’s integration agenda,” said the ECA Director of the forum that seeks to strengthen research capacities in the region.
