Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary Diplomatist July 19 Edition . | Seite 48

AFRICA DIARY
adopted a migration policy framework and plan of action for
the period of 2018 to 2030. It is intended to assist Africa to
manage migration with strategic guidelines, clear visions and
policies. We hope that with concerted eff orts and focused
action; this problem will be curbed so that the majority of
African people can enjoy stability and productive livelihoods.
Indeed, there is a lot to celebrate on this 56th Anniversary
of the liberation of our beautiful continent. This special day
off ers us both the pleasant opportunity to reignite the values
and principles that were the foundation of our continental
organization which also follows the path of building a
prosperous, peaceful and vibrant Africa which inspires
to the African population’s thirst for peace, stability and
development.
Our organization is in the early years of establishing
initiatives of peace, collective security and development that
have, in many ways, brought about important changes in the
political, social and economic spheres.
In recent years, Africa has achieved a real economic leap;
proudly displaying some of the highest growth rates in the
world. Africa continues to present itself as the continent of
the future as evidenced by the various strategic partnerships
that got signed in recent years.
Chief Guest,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Africa is one of the leading tourist destinations in the
world, blessed as it is with the most outstanding fl ora and
fauna. Hence, Tourism is a key economic sector in Africa that
contributes to the Gross Domestic Product, Foreign Exchange
earnings and employment.
Agriculture remains the backbone of most African
economies, providing both direct and indirect employment
to more than half of its population. There is a lot of room
for investment in the production of agricultural products
especially in food processing and value addition. Other
areas of potential investment include; Energy, Infrastructure,
Health, Housing, Education Capacity building, and Skill
development.
The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean in the world.
The sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean are among the most
strategically important in the world; carrying more than
eighty percent of the world’s seaborne trade in oil. The
Indian Ocean is also a huge untapped resource in aquaculture,
fi shing, energy and mineral resources, port facilities, tourism,
and biotechnology. This is coupled with the concerted eff ort
to develop: infrastructure in diff erent regions, investments
in natural gas and oil, and provide a huge potential for
investment; making this an attractive destination for Indian
Investors.
Chief Guest,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is worth mentioning that Africa’s economic blueprint
Agenda 2063’s aspirations surround concepts such as:
prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable
development, continental integration through Pan-Africanism
and Africa’s renaissance. Furthermore, it also includes people-
driven development relying on the potential of African people
especially its women and youth.
The coming into eff ect of the Africa Continental Free
Trade Area Agreement after being signed by over 49 of 55
African countries and so far ratifi ed by 22 countries (which
brings the Agreement into eff ect) will create the largest free
trade area in the world in terms of participating countries
since the formation of the World Trade Organization. The
Agreement will come into eff ect with the launch of the Africa
Continental Free Trade Area on 30th May 2019.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
estimates that the agreement will boost intra-Africa trade by
52 percent by 2022. The AfCTA is expected to be one of the
World’s largest single markets, accounting for USD 4 trillion
in spending and investment across the 54 African countries.
Your Excellencies,
Africa is emerging as strong, united and increasingly
infl uential global player and partner. Despite the signifi cant
progress that has been made at various levels, Africa continues
48 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 7 • July 2019, Noida