African Forum on Transport and Transit Trade | Algeria
Algerian Economic Channel
As part of the activities of the African Forum on Transport and Transit Trade, the Algerian Economic Channel conducted an exclusive interview with Eng. Ahmed Al-Shaafi, Chairman of Rahma Group, in his capacity as the Strategic Sponsor of the event.
The interview covered strategic insights into the current state of intra-African trade and proposed solutions to boost joint economic growth.
Key Highlights of the Interview:
Eng. Al-Shaafi shed light on the weakness of trade exchange among African countries, noting that intra-African trade accounts for only %6.8 of total exports and imports—a missed opportunity to foster internal growth across the continent.
He proposed the establishment of cross-border free and industrial zones as effective tools to attract investment, diversify economies, and enhance African integration.
Al-Shaafi announced a new strategic project to establish a free zone in southern Libya. This zone would serve as a vital link between Libya, Chad, and Niger, facilitating the flow of goods and strengthening connectivity among African markets.
He emphasized that realizing this vision requires robust infrastructure, especially the development of ports and airports and the enhancement of air freight capabilities, which would help reduce costs and improve the efficiency of supply chains.
Al-Shaafi called for deeper collaboration among African nations and active participation in specialized exhibitions and conferences to exchange expertise and build effective partnerships.
He concluded by affirming that Africa possesses all the necessary components to become an economically promising continent and called for joint action to transform these potentials into tangible realities. He also reaffirmed Rahma Group’s commitment to working with various partners to support sustainable development efforts across the continent.
