Building The Africa We Want post Covid-19

As we celebrate Africa Day and the abundant riches of our continent – both in human and mineral resources, we must pause and reflect on the unity of our people as it is being threatened by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As a people, we must not succumb to fear and never give in to the threat the pandemic pose. Instead, the global challenge presents us with a renewed opportunity for all Africans to focus on #TheAfricaWeWant post-COVID-19 in view of the milestones achieved – and the necessary work still waiting to be completed.

The BRICS Alliance that includes South Africa (and the rest of the continent), the AfCFTA, and the Africa Agenda 2063 – that was constituted with a key objective to build the Africa We Want – are crucial collaboration platforms aimed at enabling Africans to develop a prosperous Africa.
Combined, these bodies focus on strategic initiatives and deliberate plans to make Africa more united, more enterprising, and more prosperous. These plans include:

• Integration of rail to connect all African States
• African commodity strategy to ensure that Africa retains and beneficiate raw materials to create a value chain that will industrialise the continent and boost export of finished goods
• A Free Trade Agreement that will enable Africa to trade freely without barriers
• The African passport that will enable her people to move freely

May 25th 2020 marks 57 years since Africa Day was first commemorated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it also marks the end of the African Women’s Decade (2010-2020) which focused on a grassroots approach to Gender and Women’s Empowerment on the continental level.
Furthermore, the African Union Heads of States and Governments has declared the forthcoming decade (2020 to 2030) as the African Women’s Decade to Financial and Economic Inclusion (IWFSA).
SADC Women in Business is a strategic partner in this regard as it continues to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of women through economic development within the region.

Let us continue to build The Africa We Want.