a way to make a difference in Africa

Free trade is a way to make a difference in Africa. This is what the members of the African Union have said yesterday at their summit in Libya. And this is what the Economist has said as well in its recent article. I have mentioned this point previously, but it's just worth repeating.

Free trade coupled with stable and uncorrupt government would be ideal. It’s easier for us in the West to just focus on the latter and miss the whole need for free trade, which means having to lower or even scrap the subsidies we give our farmers. One of the last things our politicians will touch is farm subsidies.

But these have the effect of making it a bit more difficult for products from developing countries to be competitive in US markets. Exports that are competitive and that have fair access to our market is a way for Africa to eventually feed itself.