Today is one of the most significant days in East, Southern and indeed African history. The Grand Free Trade Area that has taken many years and deliberations to negotiate, has finally been signed into force. It kicks a free trade area larger than the EU in Europe or the NAAFTA in North America, this is by uniting 600 million Africans in 26 nations & under 1 core market and a collective GDP of $1.3 Trillion. Here are some of the tweets by participants:
The launch signifies a leap towards achieving our dream of enhanced economic integration &growth across Africa. We are encouraged to do more
— Aliko Dangote (@AlikoDangote) June 9, 2015
The TFTA enlarge markets on the economies of scale and complementarity. https://t.co/RaE8nrfF9W
— COMESA Secretariat (@comesa_lusaka) June 8, 2015
HE #Mugabe "If Tripatite was 1 country it would be the 13 most powerful trade & Investment Arrangement in the world" pic.twitter.com/qF9Hbwrk3M
— EastAfricanCommunity (@jumuiya) June 10, 2015
Minister Davies: This TFTA represents an integrated market of 26 countries with a combined population of 625 million people…
— the dti (@the_dti) June 10, 2015
Leading in integration:The Tripartite Free Trade Area #TFTA #EAC #SADC and #COMESA to form combined GDP of approx $1T pic.twitter.com/N6BG0P5P2W
— EastAfricanCommunity (@jumuiya) June 10, 2015
Africa to create biggest trade zone: Africa's largest free-trade zone is to be created, covering 26 countries … http://t.co/tH1wpXzFLa
— Silicon Angel (@SiliconAngel) June 10, 2015
Tripartite FTA bringing 3 blocs – COMESA, SADC, EAC closer together signed in Egypt. Africa trading with Africa pic.twitter.com/DomClOqVR0
— betty maina (@maina_betty) June 10, 2015
Signing on behalf of Kenya – the Tripartite Free Trade Area agreement at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt pic.twitter.com/8olrXvrzrF
— William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto) June 10, 2015
We have a deal: African leaders sign off on much-awaited common market 'super bloc' | Mail & Guardian Africa http://t.co/qpf8PsHp2w
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) June 10, 2015
#Tripartite offers #EAC more opportunities,capacity, resources, synergies & economies of scale #COMESAEACSADC pic.twitter.com/bbTY0h5hYZ
— EastAfricanCommunity (@jumuiya) June 10, 2015