Olutayo Echoes Role of Implementation in Advancing Regional Trade

By Yusuf Issa An-Nuphawi

International trade policy and law expert Olusegun Olutayo has underscored the decisive role of implementation in driving the success of regional trade agreements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking at a three-day conference in Nairobi, Kenya, titled AfCFTA Implementation Strategies: Towards an Implementation Peer Learning Community, Olutayo highlighted implementation as the cornerstone of regional trade success.

Olutayo, who serves as the Senior Trade Expert and Lead at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, described implementation as the “lifeblood” of regional trade.

He emphasized that nations engage in such agreements to foster job creation and prosperity for their citizens.

“When you establish a regional trade agreement, the implementation process must take precedence over all other elements of international trade,” Olutayo declared.

“This is what many of us have consistently advocated. In the realm of international trade, implementation is the driving force that sustains regional trade—this is the essence of AfCFTA.”

Olutayo praised the AfCFTA Secretariat for its efforts to deepen intra-African trade under the leadership of Secretary General, HE Wamkele Mene.

He also called for institutionalizing the AfCFTA implementation process to better understand the needs of member states, identify their challenges, and provide targeted technical assistance.

“To ensure the success of AfCFTA, we must institutionalize the implementation process,” Olutayo asserted.

“This will enable us to gauge the experiences of state parties, address their challenges, and deliver the necessary support to overcome barriers.”

By championing robust implementation strategies, Olutayo aims to collaborate towards strengthening the AfCFTA framework and unlock its full potential for economic growth and development across Africa.