By John Kusolo
The Youth Alliance for Development Leadership in Africa (YALDA) recently organized a discussion on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing the need for Ugandan youth to reposition themselves in order to benefit from this landmark agreement. The event, held at the National Theatre on May 29th, 2023, focused on the theme of “Repositioning Youth Businesses for AfCFTA.” The speakers included Ronnie Kawadwa, the Chairperson of the YALDA board, Don Patrick Bugingo, a lecturer at MUBS and Managing Director of Aloesha Organic Natural Health Products, Milton Kambula, a Peace Service Ambassador, and other distinguished individuals. The AfCFTA, established in 2018, aims to create a single market for goods and services, facilitated by the movement of people, in order to deepen economic integration across the African continent. This ambitious initiative aligns with the Pan African Vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa. By consolidating Africa into one trade area, the AfCFTA presents significant opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, and consumers throughout the continent, while also supporting sustainable development in the least developed regions of the world.
Currently, African trade represents less than three percent of global trade, mainly due to the domination of commodities and natural resources in Africa’s export basket, coupled with limited participation in the global value chain. To address these challenges and maximize the benefits of the AfCFTA, Joshua Mawerere, the Executive Director of YALDA, emphasizes the importance of youth engagement and champions the youth agenda. He highlights that the agreement is expected to benefit the youth through various means, including creating a iberalized market for goods and services, facilitating movement of capital and people, promoting industrial development and agricultural growth, and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development and gender equality across the continent.
Ronnie Kawadwa, the Board Chair of YALDA, stresses the significance of inclusivity for youth in all areas of growth. He acknowledges that the youth face numerous challenges, such as limited access to finance, lack of mentorship, and limited market opportunities. Kawadwa encourages young people to be proactive and find innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles, emphasizing the need for collaboration and support among youth entrepreneurs.
Godfrey Musinguzi, an award-winning film producer and President of the Oscars Award Committee Uganda Chapter, provides insights specific to the film industry. He urges artists to avoid internal conflicts that damage the industry and instead focus on being role models who inspire others. Musinguzi explains that being a role model attracts more fans and clients, thereby contributing to personal and professional success. However, he cautions that many artists prioritize fame over developing their creative skills to generate sustainable income.
Don Patrick Bugingo highlights the challenges faced by Ugandan exporters, citing the export of substandard goods as a major hindrance. He emphasizes the need for value addition and positioning Uganda’s products to meet the standards of the continental market created by the AfCFTA. Bugingo identifies four key areas that require attention: market research, product adaptation, supply chain management, and embracing technology.
Peace Service Ambassador Kambula Milton urges youth to integrate peace into their business endeavors, emphasizing their role as change agents. He suggests that youth should view peace as the guiding vision for their work and believes that Africa’s problems, such as conflicts and tribalism, can be transformed into opportunities for job creation. Kambula advises youth to adopt a big vision and aspire to inspire others through their businesses.
In conclusion, the Youth Alliance for Development Leadership in Africa, through its discussion on repositioning youth businesses for AfCFTA, emphasizes the importance of youth engagement, inclusivity, and proactive measures in maximizing the benefits of the continental trade agreement. By addressing challenges such as access to finance, mentorship, market opportunities, and product quality, Ugandan youth can position themselves to thrive in the new era of economic integration and contribute to the development of a prosperous Africa.