The anticipated webinar titled “What Do You Know About the AfCFTA ― and Why Should the Media Care?” is poised to unravel the critical significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and shed light on the pivotal role of media in its dissemination. This pivotal event, organized by the APN secretariat in partnership with the AfCFTA, is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 December 2023. It seeks to delve into the core issues integral to the realization of AfCFTA’s single-market vision, emphasizing collective ownership by the people of Africa.
The upcoming discussion aims to dissect the media’s integral role in mobilizing widespread engagement and participation with the AfCFTA, amplifying the opportunities it presents, particularly for the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and the emergence of Global Africa, the continent’s sixth region.
Delving deeper, the webinar will explore strategies for internalizing and normalizing the sweeping changes that accompany the facilitation of free movement of people, goods, and services among Africa’s 1.4 billion inhabitants. It aspires to galvanize AfCFTA stakeholders and influential media figures to ardently advocate the profound economic potential embedded in intra-African trade.
Notably, an overarching question expected to dominate the discourse pertains to the actions AfCFTA member states can take to bolster media support in creating public awareness about the newly opened Africa. Moreover, it underscores the imperative for African journalists to earnestly champion the cause of spreading this transformative message.
Central to the webinar’s agenda is an emphasis on the media’s pivotal duty to encourage participants to brainstorm and craft strategic information dissemination frameworks. The aim is to elucidate how media entities can effectively engage and enlighten populations throughout Africa and global audiences, fostering active participation in the AfCFTA and harnessing the myriad opportunities it offers.
The webinar is set to feature a distinguished panel comprising luminaries well-versed in Africa’s trade ecosystem, coupled with a nuanced understanding of the theme for APD 2024. Notable voices include Toma Imirhe, Tsotetsi Makong, Edith Dankwa, and Njack Kane. Furthermore, the roster of esteemed speakers includes Nana Aba Anamoah, Kojo Mensah, and George Jahraa. Adding to the illustrious lineup are invited guests, Elizabeth Ohene, Onyekachi Wambu, Grace Khoza, Petina Gappah, Audrey Gadzekpo, Chiké Frankie Edozien, Joel Kibazo, Liz Gomis, and Dele Momodu.
As this transformative narrative unfolds, the multifaceted impact of the AfCFTA and the indispensable role of media in catalyzing its wide-ranging benefits are poised to take center stage, propelling Africa into a new era of economic revitalization and global relevance.
