The world is increasingly becoming interconnected, and this has created new opportunities for businesses to expand their operations beyond their borders. Regional and Continental trade agreements provide a platform for businesses to access new markets and customers, and to benefit from economies of scale. However, dismal investment inflows, trade barriers, access to finance, climate change, high cost of transport, level and efficiency in production, diverse regulations, slow implementation of the agreed commitments in the various trade agreements, coupled with low awareness of investment and business opportunities that ultimately limit trade and investment. This calls for renewed commitments and political will to resolve the challenges that hinder trade and investment attraction.

In light of the above, the AU Commission in collaboration with EAC plans to organize the 14th African Union Private Sector Forum under the Theme; “Public - Private Sector Engagement for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development while Deepening Regional and Continental Trade and Investment towards Implementation of AfCFTA.”

The Forum will provide a platform for High Level Government Officials, to have a candid dialogue with the Business Community on the challenges and deliberate on the solutions and opportunities presented by Regional and Continental Integration initiatives such as the AfCFTA.

Objectives:

The overall objective of the High Level Forum is to strengthen the linkages between regional and continental markets for increased trade and investment.

The specific objectives are:

1. Leveraging on the AfCFTA to promote regional value chains and increasing productive capacity;
   
   
2. Enhancing the role of women and youth in regional and continental development;
   
   
3. Leveraging trends in digital transformation to enhance trade and investment;
   
   
4. To raise awareness of the significance of creative economy in promoting inclusive and sustainable development and deepening regional trade at all levels;
   
   
5. To discuss measures in addressing diverse regulatory frameworks that impact regional trade and investments;
   
   
6. To promote action towards environmental sustainability and address the adverse effects of climate change; and
   
   
7. To explore strategies to address barriers on access to finance.

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