TRADING of goods within the African continent remains a huge concern. In a continent as rich in minerals as ours, it is troubling that Africans are seen as beggars in other parts of the world.
To put this to an end, Africa Trade Engine (ATE) has partnered with the TRT Manufacturing and TradeDepot, Afreximbank and others to ensure that the continent can trade within.
The good news was announced on November 12 at the TRT Manufacturing firm in Midrand, South Africa.
The media in Gauteng and other parts of the African continent attended the launch in person and virtually.
Adam Molai, chairman of the African Trade Engine, said the time to make Africa great started now rather than later.
“Today, we do more than launch a business. We launch a movement — one that declares, with confidence and clarity, that Africa’s industrial future will be powered by Africans,” he said.
He said the talking is over. ATE ensures that Africa’s industrialisation, intra-continental trade, and sustainable job creation are not future aspirations but operational realities.
He said the African continent, Mzansi included, has the potential to unleash a new era of economic prosperity by embracing localisation.
Molai said by reducing foreign imports, promoting domestic production, and harnessing the power of the private sector, the continent can be a powerhouse.
And only through collaborative efforts and a shared commitment to inclusive growth can they shape a future where Africa thrives, its people prosper, and the masses forget about the hardships they endured in the past.
“Africa has the talent, the resources, and the demand — but too often, the dots between production and trade remain unconnected,” said Molai.
He said without access to market, industrialisation will remain a pipe dream.
He said though the continent currently faces high levels of unemployment, rising poverty, and increasing political uncertainty which cost plenty of people their jobs, these pressing challenges can be addressed.
African governments need to recognise the importance of localisation and industrialisation as the key drivers of economic recovery.
