By Stanley Oronsaye
July 19, 2011 01:53AM


Only through increased inter-border trade can African countries achieve real and sustainable growth. According to a joint statement by President Goodluck Jonathan and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, it is time for African countries to seek ways to boost trade among them. “An African free trade area could increase GDP across the continent by an estimated $62 billion a year. That’s $20 billion more than the world gives Sub-Saharan Africa in aid,” the statement said. Both leaders called on African countries to invest more in people and infrastructure, sound government and effective tax systems. The statement noted that African countries have not exploited opportunities to trade with one another. More than aids The statement further said that calls in the past for debt forgiveness and increased aid, though still relevant, were not enough to pull the continent out of its current quagmire. It advocated the removal of obstacles to trade and growth, noting that despite recent strong economic growth in Africa, only 12 per cent of African trade is with other African nations. Both leaders believe that with a strong and unified voice in global trade, Africa can deliver a better deal for its citizens.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5733797-146/africa_needs_more_trade_among_countries.csp

Don't we need to start first making stuff before we can trade?

A good idea but there are lots of issue, Majority of African countries have the same products due to one reason or the other. Same climate leads to product similarities in the agricultural sector and african economy is largelly based on Agriculture, poor transportation network among member countries, colonial attachment, you see countries still prefering products from their colonial masters even when their neighbour country produces the same quality with even less cost, nobody wants to use comparative cost advantage and most importantly african industries are largely consumer based. No heavy industries and then you have leaders prefering imports to protect their own financia interests. What about your foreign product makes a big man mentality? You blacks gotta a whole lot of problem.