Al-Shahid Al-Hafiz, June 14, 2026 (SPS) – Within the framework of the program of work for the legislative session of the National Council for the year 2026, the legislative institution hosted on Saturday a lecture on the African Continental Free Trade Area, led by the Chairman of the National Committee for the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Mr. Ammar Hamdha, during which he discussed the concept of the agreement, its objectives, and its economic and development dimensions at the level of the African continent.
The lecturer reviewed the process of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and its ratification on April 29, 2019, highlighting that the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was the country that contributed to completing the quorum necessary for the agreement to enter into force.
He also gave a presentation on the introductory document on the Sahrawi Republic, which was approved by the National Council during its 2025 legislative session, explaining its role in introducing the components of the Sahrawi state, highlighting its economic and investment opportunities, and enhancing its presence within the African economic space.
The lecturer touched on the importance of this continental agreement in supporting economic integration between African countries, and opening new horizons for trade exchange and investment, which contributes to enhancing economic development and creating opportunities for cooperation between the various components of the continent.
For his part, the member of the National Secretariat and President of the National Council, Mr. Al-Bashir Mustafa Al-Sayed, appreciated the content of the lecture and the important knowledge and data it provided about the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing that the actual involvement of the Sahrawi Republic in this economic space requires work to develop national production and raise its competitive and marketing capabilities, despite the various circumstances and challenges.
The President of the National Council stressed that building national production chains and strengthening the economic presence of the Sahrawi Republic represents a practical embodiment of the position of the Sahrawi state within the African space, and an important tributary to support the elements of development and economic independence.
The lecture witnessed broad interaction from members of the National Council, who enriched the discussion through their interventions, questions and inquiries about the prospects for benefiting from the agreement and its repercussions on the national economy, and ways to enhance Sahrawi participation in the path of African economic integration.
This lecture comes within the framework of efforts aimed at keeping pace with the economic transformations on the African continent, and enhancing awareness of the importance of the opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area. (SPA)
