Angola is set to become the 14th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area (FTA) member state, a significant step towards regional economic integration. The step is expected to expand trade opportunities, enhance industrial development, and deepen economic cooperation in Southern Africa.
The SADC Secretariat announced this at a Trade Negotiating Forum (TNF) in Luanda last week. Addressing the opening session, Dhunraj Kassee, Director of the Industrial Development and Trade Directorate at the SADC Secretariat, explained the economic benefits of Angola’s joining the FTA. He said that Angola’s accession would lead to reduced tariffs, elimination of non-tariff barriers, and a freer trading environment. This, in turn, would not only benefit Angola but also allow other SADC member states to have greater access to the market of Angola, spurring economic growth and regional prosperity.
The SADC Free Trade Area is an economic growth driver, improved consumer choice, increased investment, and the generation of employment,” Kassee stated. He noted that these benefits underpin the SADC Treaty objectives of poverty eradication and improving living standards across the region. With its accession to the FTA, Angola stands to gain new investments, consolidate its industrial base, and create employment opportunities for the people of Angola.
Angola’s entry into the SADC FTA comes after extensive negotiations and talks. According to Kassee, Angola managed to accommodate trade requests from fellow member states, securing a unanimous agreement to join the trading bloc. The second step involves formal endorsement at the next TNF and Committee of Ministers of Trade meetings in May and June, to be followed by complete ratification and implementation.
Angola’s accession to the FTA is not only a victory for the country but also a huge achievement for the region at large. It confirms SADC’s determination to move towards deeper economic integration, expand intraregional trade, and foster economic resilience within the member states. Angola today has one of the largest economies in Southern Africa, and its vast natural resources, including oil and minerals, make it a strategic entrance into the FTA.
“With Angola’s accession, the SADC Free Trade Area is making a quantum leap, unlocking new opportunities for industrialization, investment, and cross-border trade,” Kassee said. He said the accomplishment highlights the region’s common vision of an ever-integrating and economically dynamic Southern Africa.
Angola’s joining of the FTA will also increase trade across key transport corridors, render supply chains more efficient, and lower costs for businesses operating in the region. The move will also compel Angola to diversify its economy from its historical dependence on oil exports to more diversified sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
As Angola prepares to enter the SADC Free Trade Area, stakeholders are optimistic that the country will be in a position to reap maximum benefits accruing from free trade. The landmark step is expected to solidify regional economic ties, foster sustainable development, and render Southern Africa more competitive in the global trade arena.
