NAIROBI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Thursday that Africa is on the path of economic success after the realization by its leaders that there is more to gain from unity than isolation.
Kenyatta who spoke in Nairobi a day after 44 African countries signed up for a treaty that creates an Africa-wide free trade area, said the continent is set to realize a change in fortunes resulting from increased intra-Africa trade.
"We have come to the realization that we can grow together and that it is common sense to unite for our betterment," he said when he held a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in Nairobi.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, Kenyatta said the fact that the new trade deal has gained quick acceptance among the overwhelming majority is because Africans have come to the realization that it is better to unite for shared benefit.
"The stars are lining up and a momentum is building up for Africa. We are realizing that we are stronger together," Kenyatta said of the pact which seeks to promote industrial development through diversification, regional value chain development, agricultural development and food security.
Kenyatta was among Heads of State and Government who gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which is aimed at increasing intra-Africa trade.
He said increasing intra-Africa trade will create more business opportunities for the people of the continent and would make sure that no region is left behind in Africa's growth.
Kenyatta said Kenya had already recorded high business proposals from within Africa including from countries like Egypt and Nigeria, a trend that supports the framework for the new free trade pact.
All the East African countries except Burundi which did not attend the Summit signed all the three protocols. Only 22 member countries were required to sign the agreement to make the AfCFTA treaty operational.
According to the Africa Union, AfCFTA aims to establish a single liberalized market that will spur industrialization, infrastructural development, economic diversification and trade across the continent that is home to some 1.2 billion people.
When the AfCFTA pact is fully operationalized in the signatory State Parties, residents of these nations will enjoy the convenience of a single passport and currency.
The AfCFTA binds all State parties to eight objectives including the progressive elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods.
Speaking during the meeting, Scotland praised the free trade deal saying that she expects Africa will gain from the open borders deal which is also seen as a realization of the Pan African dream.
