Niger Summit Grabs World's Attention: Presidency Spox

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi chaired on Sunday the African Union (AU) exceptional summit hosted in Niger capital Niamey.

“Niger summit has grabbed the world's attention,” Presidency spokesman Bassam Radi said. “It witnessed the launching of African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) operational phase.”

“In his word before the summit, the president confirmed that achievement of productive and industrial integration among the continent countries requires more efforts to liberalize trade in goods and services, provide the necessary trade guarantees as well as creating a suitable investment environment,” the spokesman added.

“Moreover, the Egyptian head of state stressed the importance of infrastructure development, describing it as indispensable,” Radi noted.

In addition, Bassam pointed out that African head of states and governments discussed the conceptualization of AfCFTA operational phase with the aim of promoting inter-trade, removing tariffs and non-tariffs barriers.

“During the summit, El Sisi lift the curtain on the memorial plaque due to be placed at the entrance of AfCFTA secretariat premises,” Radi added.