President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at South Africa-Kenya Business Forum in Midrand. (DTIC/X)
While presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto spoke of industrialisation, investment and African integration, business leaders at the South Africa-Kenya Business Forum repeatedly returned to a simpler complaint: Africa’s trade agreements are moving faster on paper than they are at border posts, customs offices and regulatory agencies.
Held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand as part of Ruto’s state visit to South Africa, the forum brought together government officials, financiers, industrialists and business organisations from both countries. What emerged was an unusually candid discussion about the obstacles that continue to hold back trade and investment between two of Africa’s most important economies.
For all the enthusiasm surrounding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), speakers argued that the next phase of African integration will depend less on new agreements and more on removing practical barriers that continue to frustrate businesses operating across borders.
The message came through repeatedly from executives, investors and business organisations representing both countries.
