The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has urged governments, businesses, trade unions, and civil society groups to ensure that African workers are fully included in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The organisation emphasized that collaboration among stakeholders can make trade a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and equitable development across the continent.

In its recent resolutions, ITUC-Africa called on member states of AfCFTA to ensure that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are represented in all trade and investment activities, particularly in relation to AfCFTA, industrialization, and structural transformation in Africa. These resolutions were part of the outcomes from a three-day capacity-building and engagement workshop for informal economy actors on AfCFTA held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The communiqué, signed by ITUC-Africa General Secretary Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, highlighted that AfCFTA represents one of Africa’s most transformative initiatives, aiming to create a unified market for goods and services, increase intra-African trade, stimulate economic growth, and promote the free movement of people.

ITUC-Africa stressed that the AfCFTA agreement is not just for governments and businesses, but for the workers who are the driving force behind Africa’s economy. As part of its ongoing engagement strategies, the organisation plans to renew its focus on engaging with the African Union (AU) by establishing a dedicated ITUC-Africa office in Addis Ababa to liaise with the AU.

The organisation also called for greater attention to occupational safety and health, social protection, the elimination of sexual harassment and gender-based violence (SH & GBV), and the eradication of corruption, especially extortions at border points.

The communiqué further emphasized the need for policies and programs that support sustainable production and value addition to promote economic transformation and sustainable growth. ITUC-Africa also advocated for the implementation of the African Mining Vision (AMV) and consistent investment in research and development.

Additionally, ITUC-Africa encouraged its affiliates to engage with their governments to implement agricultural policies that support sustainable food security, employment, and rural development. The organisation also pledged to build the capacities of trade union activists and create a pool of experts within trade union organisations to engage with trade, investment, and industrialization processes, especially regarding AfCFTA.

ITUC-Africa recommended that AfCFTA member states establish National Implementation Planning Committees that include representatives from the trade union movement, women, youth, and informal economy actors.

The capacity-building workshop in Nairobi was part of the activities leading up to the 5th Ordinary Congress of ITUC-Africa. The resolutions and communiqué will be presented at the 5th Delegates’ Congress, which is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 28, 2023.