This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, the African Union announced Ghana as the host nation for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) secretariat, a move that will see the country play a key role in coordinating and implementing the agreement among member states.
The secretariat will oversee the implementation of the agreement, which has been signed by 52 African nations, with Nigeria and Benin expressing interest in joining. Ghana's selection was based on a regional balance criterion, with the review committee making the announcement during the African Union Heads of State summit held in Niger.
Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Madagascar, Senegal, and Eswatini were among the countries that applied to host the secretariat, with Kenya offering several prime locations to accommodate the secretariat. However, Ghana emerged victorious in the bid.
Following the announcement, Ghana pledged to provide $10 million (KSh1 billion) to the African Union in support of the secretariat. Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo thanked the committee and committed to supporting the secretariat, stating, "I am determined to do whatever I can to guarantee the smooth take-off of the secretariat, and help make sure that it turns out to be a world-class institution, which will become the pride and joy of all Africans."
