President John Dramani Mahama has been elected Chairperson for the African Union's High Level African Trade Committee (HATC) at the on-going 23rd Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

President Mahama takes over from Idris Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, for the next one year.

The Committee provides policy orientation and recommendations to the Summit of the Heads of State and Government on the acceleration and deepening of Africa’s market integration agenda.

The African leaders are expected to deliberate on agriculture and food, security, agricultural mechanisation, human rights abuse and industrialisation on the continent.

President Mahama, who has been a personal advocate for improved intra-African trade, is expected to use his tenure to push the agenda for greater trade among countries on the continent.