Shaheed El-Hafed, June 14, 2026 (SPS) – As part of the National Council’s legislative session program for 2026, the legislative institution hosted a lecture on Saturday about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The lecture was delivered by the Chairman of the National Committee for the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Mr. Ammar Hamdaha, who discussed the concept of the agreement, its objectives, and its economic and developmental dimensions across the African continent.
The speaker reviewed the process through which the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic joined the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and ratified it on April 29, 2019. He highlighted that the Sahrawi Republic was the state that contributed to completing the legal quorum required for the agreement to enter into force.
He also presented an overview of the introductory document on the Sahrawi Republic, which was approved by the National Council during its 2025 legislative session. He explained its role in promoting awareness of the foundations of the Sahrawi state, highlighting its economic and investment opportunities, and strengthening its presence within the African economic sphere.
The speaker addressed the importance of this continental agreement in supporting economic integration among African countries and opening new prospects for trade and investment, thereby contributing to economic development and fostering cooperation among the continent’s various components.
For his part, Mr. Bachir Mustapha Sayed, member of the National Secretariat and President of the National Council, praised the content of the lecture and the valuable information it provided about the African Continental Free Trade Area. He stressed that the effective integration of the Sahrawi Republic into this economic space requires efforts to develop national production and enhance its competitiveness and marketing capabilities despite various circumstances and challenges.
The President of the National Council affirmed that building national production chains and strengthening the economic presence of the Sahrawi Republic constitute a practical embodiment of the Sahrawi state’s position within the African sphere and represent an important pillar for supporting development and economic self-reliance.
The lecture witnessed broad interaction from National Council members, who enriched the discussion through their interventions, questions, and inquiries regarding the prospects of benefiting from the agreement, its impact on the national economy, and ways to enhance Sahrawi participation in the African economic integration process.
This lecture comes as part of efforts aimed at keeping pace with economic transformations across the African continent and raising awareness of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
(SPS)