One of the most significant tasks of this Pan-African Parliament is in the in this era is to provide guidance to the putting into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The African Continental Free Trade Area is undoubtedly the most powerful instrument we have as a continent to realize our cherished goal of African unity but more importantly of African prosperity and progress. If we use this instrument properly to its greatest effect this Continental Free Trade Area will overcome the boundaries that colonial division and exploitation impose on our people and our continent. It will open our rivers to commerce and our ports to trade. It is the foundation on which we will build new factories that would employ many of our people to produce goods that are made by African hands on this continent. It will develop new minds. It will plow new fields and build new data centers. This Continental Free Trade Area will enable our people to realize their potential and to develop the skills that will drive the global economy of the future. It will allow the men and the women rather, the women and the youth of this continent to place their energies and capabilities in the service of inclusive growth. But truth be told, agreement alone will not create a continental market. We must remove non-tariff barriers, modernize our customs systems, improve transport and logistics, harmonize regulations, and establish payment systems that will make it a lot easier and less costly for African businesses to trade with one another. The Pan-African Parliament must work with national and regional parliaments to domesticate the African Continental Free Trade Area.