AfCFTA Secretariat Official

The #AfCFTA Secretariat extends its warmest wishes to all Muslims across Africa and around the world on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. May this blessed celebration bring peace, unity, and prosperity to our communities. Eid Mubarak.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat received Mr Uchiyama Takayuki, Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, during a courtesy visit to the Secretariat. Discussions focused on strengthening ongoing collaboration and advancing key strategic priorities. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting intra-African trade, enhancing trade facilitation, and delivering tangible development outcomes across the continent. #AfCFTA

Le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf, en partenariat avec la CNUCED, invite les chambres de commerce, les associations et acteurs du secteur privé à participer à un webinaire de formation des formateurs sur le Mécanisme de notification, de suivi et d’élimination des barrières non tarifaires (BNT) de la ZLECAf. Cette session visera à renforcer les capacités en matière de signalement, de suivi et de résolution des BNT, tout en marquant le lancement de la boîte à outils de notification des BNT de la ZLECAf. 🗓 Mardi 24 mars 2026 🕙 10h00 – 13h00 GMT 📍 En ligne Rejoignez-nous pour approfondir votre compréhension du mécanisme BNT et contribuer à la facilitation du commerce intra-africain dans le cadre de la ZLECAf. 🔗 Inscrivez-vous ici : tradebarriers.africa/webinars #ZLECAf #CommerceEnAfrique #BNT #SecteurPrivé

The AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with UNCTAD, invites business associations, chambers of commerce, and private sector stakeholders to a Train-the-Trainer Webinar on the AfCFTA Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) Mechanism. This session will focus on enhancing capacity to report, track, and resolve NTBs, while also marking the launch of the AfCFTA NTB Reporting Toolkit. 🗓 Tuesday, 24 March 2026 🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM GMT 📍 Virtual Join us to deepen your understanding of the NTB mechanism and support smoother intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. 🔗 Register here: tradebarriers.africa/webinars⁠� #AfCFTA #TradeInAfrica #NTBs #PrivateSector

H.E. Wamkele Mene received the British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Christian Rogg, during a courtesy visit to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra. During the meeting, H.E. Mene, provided an update on the progress of AfCFTA implementation and expressed appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom for its continued support through @TradeMarkAfrica and @ODI_Global . H.E. Rogg reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the #AfCFTA.

The Expert Group Meeting on the assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation in the Republic of Uganda is taking place from 16–19 March 2026 in Entebbe. The meeting marks an important step towards concluding Uganda’s national review under the #AfCFTA Implementation Review Mechanism (AFIRM), as part of ongoing assessments across State Parties. Over four days, experts from the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and relevant institutions are reviewing the draft One Report of the Study to strengthen its quality, accuracy, and evidence-based recommendations ahead of the validation workshop. #AfCFTA

Calling on all entrepreneurs from Nigeria! Discover how to leverage e-commerce, digital payments, and seamless cross-border processes to reach new markets across Africa. Equip yourself with the tools, insights, and confidence to compete, grow, and thrive in Africa’s single digital marketplace. The #AfCFTA Secretariat is partnering with Google Hustle Academy to equip thousands of entrepreneurs with practical tools to scale, compete, and trade across borders under the AfCFTA. This training forms part of the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme, designed to close the digital skills gap and unlock new growth opportunities for African businesses. It marks a powerful step toward building a more connected, digital-ready SME ecosystem across Africa, and we’re excited to help shape that future. Training will be delivered virtually to targeted countries including Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia. If your country is not on the list this time, don't worry, it will be on the subsequent cycles. Learn more and join in: rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/hustle-… #DigitalSkills #SMEs #GoogleHustleAcademy #AfCFTA #DigitalTrade

The #AfCFTA Secretariat officially opened the 5th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures in Nairobi today, convening Member States, AU institutions, and key partners. The Opening Ceremony set the tone for strengthened collaboration in addressing SPS-related non-tariff measures, enhancing food safety systems, and facilitating safe and seamless intra-African trade. Over the next three days, delegates will review progress on Annex 7 on SPS, validate the SPS Mapping Study, address specific trade concerns, and explore emerging challenges impacting agricultural trade across the continent. #AfCFTA #SPS

Today in Nairobi, experts and representatives from Member States convened for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Sub-Committee workshop under the Trade in Goods Protocol to advance discussions on SPS measures as an important category of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs). The workshop supports collaboration and knowledge sharing on SPS requirements that safeguard human, animal, and plant health while facilitating smoother intra-African trade. Through such engagements, the #AfCFTA continues to work with Member States to address NTMs and promote safe, predictable, and increased trade in agricultural and food products across the continent. #AfCFTA #TradeInGoods #TradeInAfrica #SPS

Today, the #AfCFTA Secretariat welcomed senior representatives of The Coca-Cola Company for a productive exchange on promoting intra-African trade and strengthening regional value chains. The discussion highlighted opportunities to expand local sourcing, drawing lessons from Coca-Cola’s Mango Hub pilot project, and explored how AfCFTA tools and instruments can help overcome practical barriers to cross-border trade. The meeting also identified promising areas for collaboration, including agricultural value chain development and the AfCFTA Trade Sandbox, while highlighting Biashara Afrika as an important platform for continued dialogue between the private sector and policymakers. #afcfta

In Gaborone, Botswana, Member States gathered for the 5th Sub-Committee Meeting on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The meeting focused on assessing progress in implementing Annex 6, addressing existing technical barriers, and reviewing the draft #AfCFTA MRA Appendix, a key instrument to support mutual recognition and make it easier for goods to move across African markets. As work on implementation continues, here is a look back at the discussions shaping a more seamless continental trading environment. #AfCFTA #MRA #TBT

Strengthening the capacity of business associations, chambers of commerce, and private sector actors to report, track, and resolve Non-Tariff Barriers is key to improving trade across Africa. Join the AfCFTA Secretariat and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for a Train-the-Trainer Webinar on the AfCFTA Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) Mechanism. The session will also mark the launch of the AfCFTA NTB Reporting Tool Kit, designed to support stakeholders in effectively utilising the NTB system. Register via the link: zoom.us/webinar/regist… #AfCFTA #TradeInAfrica #NTB #IntraAfricanTrade

H.E. Wamkele Mene met with Dr. Hortense ME, Executive Secretary of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization, to address trade corridor challenges in West and Central Africa. Discussions centered on improving customs and border coordination, reducing clearance delays, enhancing infrastructure, and leveraging digital systems. Emphasis was placed on multi-agency collaboration, political support, and partnerships. The engagement highlighted the importance of resource mobilization and sustained leadership to transform Africa’s trade corridors, boosting efficiency, competitiveness, and regional integration under #AfCFTA.

The #AfCFTA Secretariat undertook on the 10 March 2026 a technical visit to Alaro City, located in the Lekki Free Zone and developed by Rendeavour and the Lagos State Government in Lagos, Nigeria. Rendeavour is a conglomerate of 7 SEZs spread in 5 countries in the East, West and Southern Africa regions and produces various products that can be traded under the AfCFTA Regime. The objective of the visit was to assess compliance of Alaro City SEZ with the AfCFTA Agreement and explore options of collaboration with the Secretariat The #AfCFTA Secretariat delegation, lead by Mr. Mohamed Ali, Director of Trade in Goods and Competition had an opportunity to visit a few companies that have already been set up within Alaro City SEZ in order to understand their business models and explain how to trade under the AfCFTA Regime. The Lekki Deep Sea Port, located in Lagos Free Trade Zone and that provides direct access to the west African countries market was also visited by the Secretariat delegation. #AfCFTA

The @AfCFTA Secretariat and @yaldafrica , together with partners including @UNDP , @ITCnews , @UNECA and @afreximbank , invite young Africans to participate in the AfCFTA Africa Umoja Campaign – Sustainable Leap Youth Essay Competition (2026). Share your ideas on how the AfCFTA can drive low-carbon manufacturing, green logistics and sustainable services to power inclusive and environmentally responsible growth across Africa. Why participate? The AfCFTA is opening a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, creating opportunities for youth in manufacturing, agriculture, services and green industries. Young Africans aged 15–35 are invited to submit a 2,000-word blog-style essay (with an optional video pitch) and contribute to shaping Africa’s sustainable trade future. Your ideas can help build a greener and more prosperous Africa under the AfCFTA. Submit your entry and be part of the Green Leap. Apply here: yaldafrica.org/afcftacompetit…

Today in Lagos, the #AfCFTA Secretariat participated in the Advisory Council Meeting launching the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027 and the Signing Ceremony of the Hosting Agreement for the event, which will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. The Advisory Council reviewed key preparations, including strategic direction, thematic priorities, timelines, budget and institutional arrangements to ensure the Trade Fair delivers meaningful outcomes for African businesses. Speaking on behalf of H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the #AfCFTA Secretariat, Ms. Cynthia Gnassingbe-Essonam noted that these engagements represent an important step in advancing the #AfCFTA through practical platforms that connect African businesses, investors and policymakers. As Africa’s premier trade and investment platform, the Intra-African Trade Fair continues to translate the #AfCFTA into real commercial opportunities, strengthen regional value chains and expand participation by African enterprises. We commend the Government of Nigeria, Lagos State, @Afreximbank and partners for their leadership in bringing IATF 2027 to Lagos. #AfCFTA #IATF2027 #IntraAfricanTrade #AfricanTrade #Lagos

Across the #AfCFTA Secretariat, the women behind Africa’s trade transformation agenda paused to share a simple but timely message: Happy International Women’s Day. Their voices reflect the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Area; inclusive, ambitious, and driven by women who are shaping the future of African trade. #IWD2026 #WomenInTrade #AfCFTA

On International Women’s Day, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, shares a message on the contributions of women to Africa’s economies and the continent’s integration agenda. #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

This International Women’s Day, we shine the spotlight on the #AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, a groundbreaking, legally binding commitment that extends beyond tariff reductions to expand opportunities for women and youth in intra-African trade. Give access, gain growth: a strategy shaping Africa’s future. #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #CreatingOneAfricanMarket