President Paul Kagame called on the support of the Pan African Parliament to guarantee that speedy ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is made by every member state.

The CFTA is the world’s largest bloc, estimated to bring about long-term gains of about US$16 billion annually to the continent through the elimination of tariffs, free movement of people and goods across the continent.

In his address to the First Ordinary Session of the Fifth Pan African Parliament, Kagame said that legislators should exploit their dual roles to be strong advocates of African integration back at their respective national legislatures and at the continental parliament.

“I ask for your support for the speedy ratification of the CFTA, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and other key pillars of Agenda 2063. The entry into force of these historic compacts will do more than almost anything else to accelerate economic growth and shatter outdated perceptions of our continent. We cannot afford to squander the momentum we have gained,” Kagame told legislators at the weeklong summit.

“But we need your help to communicate more effectively with constituents and stakeholders in civil society about the importance of these agreements for the well-being of our citizens and our economies.”

So far 48 countries have signed the CFTA, South Africa being the latest, having signed the document in July.

Nigeria remains the most significant country that has so far declined to sign it.

Kagame also noted that the state of African Union is healthier than before, having slashed its next year’s annual budget by 14 percent and having more member states contribute their share of funds.

“Important changes are underway on our continent, and in the wider world, and we have to be ready to meet them. Working together is the only way to give Africa’s position the weight it should have in the wider geopolitical context,” he said.

“We must meet the imperative of good governance with innovations and solutions drawn from Africa’s rich experiences and cultures, even as we remain open to benefiting from the best global insights.”

President of the Pan African Parliament, Cameroonian Roger Nkodo Dang, told the assembly that focus should be placed on fighting corruption for regional integration to work.

Corruption is a challenge that we should all be concerned about. It is up to us as legislators to work hard and fight against this evil that leads to poverty and underdevelopment,” he said.

Illicit financial aided by corruption are responsible for capital flight from Africa of up to $50 billion, according to the United Nations.