Market Access Africa: In Conversation with Dr. Mtandazo Ngwenya, Managing Director for Bigen Africa

Following the successful Market Access Africa (access-afric.com ) event, which focused on advancing agricultural trade and investment on the continent, we are excited to share interviews with some of the industry’s leading voices. One such voice is Dr. Mtandazo Ngwenya, the dynamic Managing Director for Bigen Africa. In a recent conversation with Yolisa Nyoka, Program Director for Market Access Africa, Dr. Ngwenya shared his insights on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its potential to transform trade and agriculture across Africa.

Facilitating Growth through AfCFTA

Dr. Mtandazo Ngwenya's perspective on the AfCFTA is both enlightening and strategic. With extensive experience in managing development funds and assets targeting high-impact sectors, Dr. Ngwenya envisions the AfCFTA as a catalyst for significant growth in Africa's agriculture sector. “At the core of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement is the notion of maximizing trade among African countries,” he explains. Currently, intra-African trade is extremely low, trending at less than 15-18 percent, compared to much higher numbers in other regions of the world. Dr. Ngwenya emphasizes that increasing intra-African trade to 60-70 percent would inherently boost the African market for agriculture.

Strategies for Maximizing Benefits

Addressing the challenges and strategies for maximizing the benefits of AfCFTA, Dr. Ngwenya points out logistical and trade-related barriers that need to be overcome. “A very simple concept is you have places like Kenya that are increasing in avocado production, yet a lot of Kenyan avocados head to the Middle East instead of to the East African Community or even the West African Community,” he notes. Creating an inter-African platform that allows for the easy movement of goods, such as agricultural produce, is crucial. This would not only enhance food security but also improve trade efficiency within the continent.

Legal Frameworks and Trade Efficiency

Dr. Ngwenya highlights the importance of harmonizing legal frameworks to support the smooth implementation of AfCFTA. He underscores the need for quick agreements among member states on issues related to the rules of origin and tariff reductions. “Speeding up the functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism within the trade system and fast-tracking domestic regulations that align with the new trade regime are critical,” he states. Ensuring that the behavior of officials matches the policy directions of governments is essential for the free movement of goods, people, and services.

Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability is a key aspect of Dr. Ngwenya’s work. He discusses how free trade movement can align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote economic growth while ensuring environmental and social sustainability. “We need significant harmonization across the continent to facilitate trade while ensuring that local communities benefit from infrastructure development,” he says. This includes creating hubs of excellence and special economic zones focused on beneficiation and industrialization to create jobs and reduce dependence on external processing capacities.

Empowering Women and Youth

One of the critical pillars of AfCFTA is the empowerment of women and youth. Dr. Ngwenya emphasizes that women make up almost 70 percent of informal cross-border traders and must be included in formal economic activities. “We must ensure that as we create these platforms, women and youth can participate and benefit from economic opportunities,” he asserts. Investing in cutting-edge skills and providing startup capital for youth are crucial steps to enable their active participation in agriculture and other sectors.

Looking Forward

Dr. Ngwenya believes that the future of African trade lies in the hands of its youth. “We have one of the most youthful populations in the world. We must invest in them, give them world-class skills, and create an enabling environment for them to thrive,” he concludes. Market Access Africa was a pivotal event for the agricultural sector, providing a forum for dialogue, networking, and showcasing innovations driving Africa’s agricultural growth. With leaders like Dr. Mtandazo Ngwenya at the helm, the future of African agriculture looks bright.

You can watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6_T_paces