South Africa has formally ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, marking a decisive policy shift towards inclusive economic reform across the continent.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced the move during his address at the High-Level G20 Intergenerational Roundtable held in Johannesburg on Friday.
“This milestone is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a decisive policy action that signals our intent to mainstream gender and youth equity within intra-African trade policy,” Mashatile said.
The AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade aims to remove structural barriers that hinder participation by women- and youth-led enterprises in trade, prioritise access to finance and markets and compel member states to develop inclusive legal and policy frameworks.
By ratifying the protocol, South Africa commits to integrating these provisions into national economic systems and trade practices.
With Africa’s youth population expected to double by 2050, Mashatile noted the urgency of involving young people in meaningful economic activity.
“We must integrate youth into national and continental planning frameworks, not just as beneficiaries but also as co-architects of development,” he said.
Mashatile also underscored South Africa’s broader developmental agenda, which includes promoting industrialisation, employment and reducing inequality.
He revealed that a specialised unit in the Presidency has been tasked with removing regulatory bottlenecks that inhibit youth entrepreneurship, streamlining processes in sectors such as mining, tourism and the informal economy.
Key government interventions include institutionalising intergenerational governance, anchoring youth priorities in South Africa’s G20 agenda and enhancing access to capital and cross-border trade opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
The AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade was adopted in 2022 as a legally binding instrument.
It forms part of efforts to ensure that the benefits of Africa’s economic integration extend beyond traditional actors and empower marginalised groups to participate fully in the continent’s trade landscape.
JN/APA