Ghana has been selected as the host nation for the African Continental Free Trade Area secretariat. The secretariat will be in charge of coordinating and implementing the agreement by member states. 52 African nations have already signed the agreement to form a single market while Nigeria and Benin have declared their interest.
Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Madagascar, Senegal, and Eswatini are some of the countries that applied to host the secretariat. Kenya offered several buildings in prime locations to accommodate the secretariat but lost the bid to Ghana.
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The review committee made the announcement during the African Union Heads of State summit held in Niger. They based their decision on a regional balance criterion.
Following the announcement, Ghana pledged to give $10 million (KSh1 billion) to the African Union in support of the secretariat. Ghanaian President Nana Addo Akufo thanked the committee and committed to supporting the secretariat.
“I am determined to do whatever I can to guarantee the smooth take-off of the secretariat, and help make sure that it turns out to be a world-class institution, which will become the pride and joy of all Africans,” he said.
