AfCFTA Women and Youth With Disabilities in Trade

Affiliated with @ICOYACA to champion the interests of differently abled Women and Youth in trade in the AfCFTA implementation-related processes.

[AfCFTA Women and Youth With Disabilities in Trade @ICOYACA_PWDS]

It's a new dawn to the women and youth with disabilities within the @AfCFTA frameworks. This is after the intervention of the @ICOYACA Chairperson @Emolot_AD & @josephkowino to have a disability directorate established was approved. @SP_AfCFTA
#Inclusion2theWorld
#IAMGCCForever

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

This article by @IvanAtuyambe profoundly captures the essence of a generational challenge and opportunity. At @ICOYACA, we wholeheartedly agree with the assertion that Africa's young entrepreneurs are not just job seekers but job creators, driving innovation and addressing systemic challenges through their resilience and creativity.

The Council recognizes that despite their enormous potential, young entrepreneurs in Africa face significant hurdles, as he has eloquently outlined: limited access to capital, systemic biases, inadequate mentorship, and restrictive regulatory frameworks. These are real barriers that stifle the growth of promising ideas, preventing them from scaling and contributing to economic transformation. However, we must emphasize that addressing these challenges is not just a moral obligation but a strategic imperative for the sustainable development of Africa.

What the Council is Doing.

The Council is committed to creating an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs thrive and lead. In alignment with the vision of the @AfCFTA, we focus on equipping youth entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to expand their businesses across borders.

The Council has championed initiatives such as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, adopted by the @_AfricanUnion Heads of State, to promote youth-friendly trade policies, simplify customs procedures, and create a supportive business environment for cross-border trade. Additionally, it amplifies youth voices by including them in decision-making processes and creating platforms like the @Youthdome to foster dialogue, celebrate innovation, and shape policies that empower youth to lead Africa’s economic transformation.

A Call to Action

We echo Ivan’s call to “walk side by side” with young African entrepreneurs. The Council believes this requires a multi-stakeholder approach where governments, the private sector, and civil society collaborate to dismantle systemic barriers and build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

While the resilience of young African entrepreneurs is commendable, resilience alone is not enough. They need tangible support, streamlined policies, access to affordable capital, and opportunities for cross-border trade. The Council remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that Africa’s young entrepreneurs are not just participants in trade but leaders in transforming the continent’s economic landscape. All we just need is financial support to continue this work.

Let us work together to empower the agents of change already shaping Africa’s future. As Ivan rightly points out, “Africa’s young people are not waiting for change; they are driving it.” It is our collective duty to stand with them, remove obstacles, and create pathways for their success.

Together, we can achieve a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.

Asante Sana || Merci 👏
@AfriYBC @AUYouthProgram @MastercardFdn

[GIZ support to the East African Community @eacgiz]

📢3 days left!
Are you a #Youth or #Women-led enterprise registered in @jumuiya?
Do you hv innovative solution addressing regional challenges?
Apply👉https://t.co/tj4ayKCzzb
and win..
💰Grant of €15000
😎Pitching at #EAC SG forum in Nairobi🇰🇪
🌍mentorship & networking
@EUinTZ

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

As we continue commemorating @ICOYACAofficial’s 3rd anniversary, we are reminded that true impact begins with passion, grows through collaboration, and thrives on resilience. The bedrock of ICOYACA’s Journey.

Together over the years through the council, we have turned ideas into action and dreams into change, proving that when young people lead with purpose, the future is unstoppable.

Thank you all for believing in us and supporting us. We commit to continuing our mission of ensuring our African youth are at the center of the @AfCFTA implementation process and benefit from the economic opportunities provided by it.

Most importantly, through our bottom-up engagement strategy, we aspire to ensure that No Youth is Left Behind in the process.

Asante Sana 🙏
@IvanAtuyambe @P_Sebahizi @MeneWamkele @AUYouthProgram @CEGEofficiel @SP_AfCFTA @YouthConnektAf

[Iteso Cultural Union @ItesoUnion]

All are welcome for this Historical event ATEKER REUNION 2024 @SorotiCity 27-29 November 2024

[Iteso Cultural Union @ItesoUnion]

https://t.co/UYgCzzYTCv

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council-Youth, Peace & Sec @ICOYACA_YPS]

📢Calling All Southern African Youth!

Join us at the Youth Workshop on Illicit Trade: Threats to the AfCFTA and Regional Peace & Security. .

Don't miss out! Apply now: https://t.co/3cIRCMVec4

@AfCFTA @APRMorg @UNODC @SAYoF_Official @NamYouthCouncil @Emolot_AD @AU_YouthEnvoy

[Lennon Monyae @LennonMonyae]

🚨 **Calling All Southern African Youth!**

Join us at the **Youth Workshop on Illicit Trade: Threats to the AfCFTA and Regional Peace & Security** 🌍 This is your chance to engage with like-minded individuals, share your knowledge and contribute to safeguarding our continent’s future.

📅 **Eligibility:** African youth between 18-35 years from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
* Must be proficient in English.

📝 **Deadline:** 9th September 2024.

Don't miss out! Apply now: https://t.co/4vVb41BaZF

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Happy International Youth Day our AfCFTA Champions.
@AfCFTA @ICOYACAofficial

[Ivan Atuyambe (AfCFTA YouthMan) @IvanAtuyambe]

AfCFTA Update as of 31 July 2024 - what is in it for African youth?

The journey thus far

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to make significant strides towards its goal of creating a single, unified market across Africa. As of July 2024, 54 African Union (AU) member states have signed the AfCFTA Agreement (Eritrea remaining the only country yet to sign), with 47 having ratified it. The agreement aims to eliminate trade barriers, boost intra-African trade, and foster economic growth across the continent.

The AfCFTA has been operational since January 1, 2021, and its implementation has been marked by the establishment of critical frameworks and protocols. These include the Protocols on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Competition Policy[1][9]. Notably, the Protocols on Digital Trade and Women and Youth in Trade were adopted in February 2024, highlighting the AfCFTA's commitment to inclusivity and modernization.

Recent Developments

The COMESA-EAC Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA)
It has been thought out from beginning that Regional Economic Communities will serve as building blocks to the ONE AFRICAN MARKET. The COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) came into force on July 25, 2024, following the ratification by 14 member states. This development is expected to complement the AfCFTA by further integrating regional markets and enhancing trade cooperation. At present, RECs serve as a regional coordinating mechanism for the implementation of the AfCFTA - consistent with their existing integration frameworks.

Guided Trade Initiative
Trade in goods has commenced under the AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative, which facilitates trade among participating countries by addressing non-tariff barriers and streamlining customs procedures for a negotiated list of goods and services for State Parties to start trading under AfCFTA - testing the waters. This list is expected to grow across time as it gets renegotiated to fit trading demands.

Impact on Youth Employment

The AfCFTA holds immense potential for addressing youth unemployment in Africa, a critical issue given the continent's burgeoning young population. By creating a more integrated and competitive market, the AfCFTA can stimulate job creation across various sectors. Here’s how:

Entrepreneurship opportunities

The AfCFTA provides a conducive environment for young entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale their operations across the continent. By reducing trade barriers and facilitating access to larger markets, young business owners can expand their reach and increase their revenue streams. This is particularly relevant in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services, where youth-led initiatives are already making significant inroads.

Skills Development and Employment Opportunities

The implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to lead to the creation of regional value chains, which will require a skilled workforce. This presents an opportunity for young people to gain employment in industries such as manufacturing, agro-processing, and services. Additionally, the AfCFTA’s focus on digital trade and technology-driven sectors can help bridge the skills gap and provide high-value job opportunities for the youth.

Policy Support and Investment

For the AfCFTA to fully realize its potential in creating youth employment, supportive policies and investments are crucial. Governments and development organizations need to prioritize infrastructure development, access to finance, and capacity-building programs tailored to the needs of young people. Initiatives such as the Youth for AfCFTA Mentorship Programme highlight the importance of engaging youth in policy formulation and implementation processes.

Read more on the Challenges and Recommendations https://t.co/nOLNWkC5Wa

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

3/3) The goal is to inspire all National Youth councils to champion discussions around AfCFTA. This initiative is crucial as AfCFTA aims to benefit young people by reducing trade barriers and fostering a more inclusive and accessible trading environment.

Asante Sana 👏

@PYU_UPJ

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

2/3) National Youth Councils have the strategic mandate to ensure that youth voices are not only permanently represented in all sectors of government including the National AfCFTA Implementation Committees but also meaningfully engaged.
@EmmaXfactor

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

1/3) National Youth Councils play a critical role in fostering meaningful youth inclusion in the @AfCFTA implementation processes at National level. For example @NYCofUganda organized the inaugural AfCFTA Youth Business Symposium last year in April.

@sebaprunce @Jacobeyeru

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Full presentation can be accessed on my LinkedIn post via the link: https://t.co/er8cMrPyqA

Asante Sana 👏

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

By fostering intra-African trade, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth, the AfCFTA puts money into the pockets of our youth. With financial stability, young people can make informed, democratic choices, voting for leaders who represent their best interests.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Democracy cannot truly flourish in a society where the majority live in poverty that’s why championing the successful @AfCFTA implementation to create 30m jobs for our youth is paramount. This was the focus of my speech during the @YDUA_AFRICA Conference in Kampala.

@KasUganda

[Lennon Monyae @LennonMonyae]

As an Honorary #Ugandan 🇺🇬 I am extremely happy to endorse my friend and brother, @Emolot_AD, as he takes a bold step into leadership. Uganda is fortunate to have this exceptional young leader, renowned for his remarkable initiatives and unwavering dedication to the country and the African continent. His enthusiasm is inspiring, and his love for Uganda and Africa is unparalleled. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy, and I firmly believe that he is the ideal candidate for the youth.
Go for it @Emolot_AD

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

4/ As we honor our past and look forward to a brighter future, let us continue to empower our youth, the architects of a peaceful and united Africa. Together, we build a continent that thrives on unity, peace, and shared prosperity. #AfricaDay2024
@ICOYACAofficial @AUYouthProgram

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

3/ This initiative is a key step in including youth in trade in AU’s peace-building efforts, operationalizing the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace, & Security (CFYPS). By fostering a new generation of youth leaders, we invest in a peaceful, prosperous future for Africa.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

2/ The workshop, a joint effort by @ICOYACA & @UNESCO_MGIEP, with support from @APRMorg & @TheJNLC, is part of our AfCFTA, YPS project.

We trained 25 youth & engaged over 100 virtually, equipping them with social-emotional competencies & peace-building skills.

@LennonMonyae

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

1/ 🌍 Today, as we commemorate #AfricaDay & marks the 20th anniversary of @AUC_PAPS, a beacon of our collective commitment to peace across Africa, we’re excited to share the success of the inaugural workshop for youth in Trade Waging Peace, held in Uganda.
@AfCFTA @_AfricanUnion