UNECA says africa's future lies in integration

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) says Africa’s future lies in integration.

UNECA Southern Africa Director, Beatrice Kiraso says integration is the way to go if sub-region is to successfully compete in a globalised world “because individually the countries are very small.

She says poor countries that cannot effectively compete on a global scale, if they do not integrate, but will instead perish.
Ms Kiraso has hailed the work of Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) for pioneering the grand process towards a Continental Free Trade Area.
She says the work of the three regional communities towards building a Tripartite - Free Trade Area is commendable and pledged continued support from the United Nations and UNECA in particular towards its realization.

Ms kiraso says Africa’s internal market is enormous if we bring down the artificial and meaningless barriers that hamper our own capacity for production and industrialization”.
she says the COMESA, EAC and SADC Tripartite-Free Trade Area constitutes an integrated market of 26 countries with a combined population of 600 million people and a total gross domestic product of approximately USD$850billion or GDP per capita of $1500 “that equates to 58percent per cent of Africa’s GDP and 57percent of the continent’s population.”
She has expressed concern about continued failure to add value to raw materials saying that Africa continues to consume what it does not produce.

Mr kirsao says by delivering improved access to a larger market and attendant new opportunities for trading and producing goods and services, the tripartite free trade area is expected to enhance competitiveness, result in increased domestic, cross-border trading and foreign investment prospects.

She says this will accelerate the development of cross-regional infrastructure; boost job and wealth creation across the integrated economies.
Ms Kiraso said UNECA will continue to work with member States to support policies on regional economic integration to address Africa’s priorities for economic and social development for its people.