Raising awareness about the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF) is at the heart of concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Indeed, the Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, recently inaugurated the Forum-Exhibition which aims to inform and raise awareness among Congolese actors in the public sector, the private sector and civil society on the opportunities and challenges linked to the ZLECAF.
The ZLECAF is an economic integration project for Africa, which brings together 54 African countries, including the DRC, around a common market. This agreement aims to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, people and investments across the continent. The creation of the ZLECAF offers numerous economic opportunities for Congolese operators, who will be able to benefit from an expanded market of nearly 1.3 billion consumers.
During his speech, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of the AfCFTA in the economic integration of Africa and encouraged all stakeholders to pool their efforts to benefit from it. He also highlighted the challenges to be overcome, particularly in terms of infrastructure and transport, in order to enable effective intra-regional trade.
The Minister of Foreign Trade, Jean-Lucien Bussa Tongba, for his part stressed that the ZLECAF was a priority for the DRC, which wishes to reposition itself as a leading country on the African market. He also recalled that the operationalization of the ZLECAF requires the development of efficient infrastructure and communication routes.
Holding this forum shows the Congolese government’s commitment to promoting the ZLECAF and encouraging economic actors to seize the opportunities offered by this common market. It is part of the vision of the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, who wishes to make economic diplomacy and foreign trade levers of growth for the DRC.
In conclusion, raising awareness about the ZLECAF in the DRC constitutes a major issue for the economic development of the country. Congolese actors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the possibilities offered by this free trade zone and to put in place the necessary strategies to take advantage of them. The DRC has the opportunity to position itself as a key player in the African market, and the ZLECAF can be a springboard for its economy.