Paul Biya met with the Executive Secretary of UN Economic Commission for Africa Vera Songwe on Thursday to discuss prospects of ratifying the African Continental Free trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, according to a statement from the presidency.

“Delighted to discuss on the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the development of the digital economy with Cameroonian-born Vera Songwe,” Biya twitted Thursday evening after the meeting.

Songwe said, she discussed with the president about the possibility of Cameroon’s diversified economy attaining a 10 growth rate, if it becomes part of the trade deal.

“Cameroon is such an important economy in Central Africa when we look at the overall region with peace and stability, and I think that the AfCFTA is an important part of the equation to reach emergence,” Songwe said.

“Other countries will be celebrating the AfCFTA ratification in July and we encourage the Government of Cameroon to join the party and also ratify,” she added.

The statement from the presidency did not indicate whether or not Cameroon, which was among the first African countries to sign the deal last year, will ratify the trade agreement.

Twenty-two African nations have already ratified the agreement, the minimum number expected to approve the deal among the 55 members of the African Union.

Source: Xinhuanet