UK (Commonwealth Union)_ The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, took part in the second annual Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD 2024) in Ghana. The event, hosted in Accra by the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, brought together heads of government, political leaders, policymakers, technocrats, civil society representatives, academics, and business executives. The discussions focused on enhancing trade collaboration among African nations.
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Organized by the Africa Prosperity Network and supported by the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA), the three-day summit seeks to foster cooperation between political leaders and the public and private sectors. The conference theme, ‘Delivering Prosperity in Africa-Produce, Add Value, Trade,’ was addressed by Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. In response to the summit’s objectives, Secretary-General Scotland emphasized the importance of private sector collaboration with African governments.
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Leveraging the AfCFTA, she highlighted the potential to expedite the realization of Africa’s single market potential and transform the region into one of the world’s largest trading blocs. She stated, “The APD 2024 summit provides a much-needed platform for the private sector to collaborate with governments across Africa. Leveraging AfCFTA, we could fast-track the realization of Africa’s single market potential and pave the way for the region to become one of the world’s largest trading blocs.” Highlighting the ‘Commonwealth advantage,’ Secretary-General Scotland noted that intra-Commonwealth trade is 19% cheaper. She stressed the need for closer ties and fruitful collaboration among African countries, emphasizing the role of platforms like APD 2024 in creating business opportunities and breaking down trade barriers.
The Secretary-General added, “We must refocus our efforts to ensure closer ties and fruitful collaboration. For our 21 Commonwealth African members, there is an additional ‘Commonwealth advantage’ to doing so. Our research indicates that, when Commonwealth countries trade with one another, it is 19 percent cheaper to do so”. She continued, “Undoubtedly, African countries would be stronger together if they achieved improved levels of intra-African trade. Platforms like this one assist in creating greater business opportunities and can help find solutions to break down the barriers hindering trade. I look forward to being in Accra to share the substantial work that we are doing and support the mission of achieving greater prosperity in Africa.”
During the summit, Secretary-General Scotland also shared the Commonwealth Secretariat’s efforts in facilitating economic integration, ensuring shared prosperity, and building a more robust future across the Commonwealth, especially in Africa. It was also noted that the member countries can access the Secretariat’s resources, including tools, templates, financing options, online training courses, policy expertise, trade assistance, and capacity-building programs. The Secretary-General also discussed initiatives such as the Hub and Spokes program, which deploys trade advisors to boost trade in the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group of countries. Additionally, she also addressed the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, focusing on enhancing trade and investment links, particularly in digital economies.
During her stay in Ghana, Secretary-General Scotland also participated in the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards ceremony and engaged in a panel discussion on reparations for infrastructure for Africa and Global Africa, alongside distinguished leaders and experts. The team comprised delegates including H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Macky Sall, President of Senegal; H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; Christal M. Jackson, Chair of the Africa-America Institute; and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President, Afreximbank.
