African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

With the AfCFTA market access in place, the focus now shifts to standards and mutual recognition. Mutual Recognition Agreements are helping build trust across borders, boost intra-African trade, and ensure the quality of goods and services. Learn how these efforts are shaping the next phase of AfCFTA implementation. #AfCFTA #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

The AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, is convening a three-day regional workshop to advance women and youth economic empowerment in fisheries through the Inclusive Market Access Programme. This forms part of the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade and the AfCFTA Private Sector Strategy. The workshop promotes regional integration and harmonisation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the fisheries value chain, while updating delegations on the development of continental standards in fish trade. The workshop also aims to strengthen the capacity of women and youth to engage in aquaculture, feed production, and fish trade at regional and continental levels. Delegations will receive training on access to affordable feed, best aquaculture practices, and financial inclusion. The outcomes will inform targeted interventions to address trade barriers, enhance export readiness, and increase participation in intra-African trade.

The 7th and 8th Meetings of the Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) are taking place from 22 July to 2 August 2025 in Djibouti. During this session, delegates are negotiating the draft Annexes of the Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) under the #AfCFTA. These Annexes will provide the legal and institutional framework to transition Africa from a landscape of fragmented IP protections to a harmonised, continent-wide system; one that is globally respected yet uniquely African. Under the #AfCFTA, these negotiations are not just about legal texts; they represent a bold step toward defining the architecture for a future where African ideas are African-owned, African-valued, and African-traded. #AfCFTA #CIPR2025

In this interview with Africa24, H.E. Wamkele Mene discusses the critical role of infrastructure in facilitating free trade and highlights how the AfCFTA is unlocking Africa’s economic potential and transforming businesses across the continent. He calls on African political and business leaders to take the lead in driving this transformation. #AfCFTA #Africa24 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/e3_prQ4d

Join us for a Sensitisation Webinar on the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and Its Annexes! As Africa advances toward a fully integrated digital economy, understanding the rules and frameworks that govern digital trade is more critical than ever. 🗓 Date: 22 July 2025 🕘 Time: 9:00 GMT 💻 Venue: Virtual (via Zoom) This webinar will provide key insights into the recently adopted Protocol on Digital Trade and its annexes. Learn what they mean and how they support secure, inclusive and interoperable digital trade across the continent. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eD7ikH-8 #AfCFTA #DigitalTrade #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

Today in Malabo, the #AfCFTA Secretary-General convened the 3rd Coordination Meeting with the Heads of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Business Councils, building on the outcomes of the 6th Senior Officials’ Meeting. The Secretary-General presented the report from the Senior Officials’ Meeting, which brought together RECs and Business Support Organisations. The report was formally adopted during the session, marking another step forward in strengthening coordination across institutional levels. In their remarks, Heads of RECs expressed appreciation for the Secretariat’s efforts to foster structured engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to a unified approach to advancing AfCFTA implementation. Business Councils also highlighted the importance of coordinated action to support private sector participation. The meeting concluded with agreement on a joint roadmap to guide future coordination efforts. This includes measures to reduce duplication, improve alignment, and ensure RECs and business stakeholders play a stronger role in building Africa’s single market. #AfCFTA #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

Congratulations to the Republic of Mozambique on Gazetting Its AfCFTA Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs)! What does it mean to gazette or domesticate a trade commitment? It is an official announcement that enhances transparency, ensuring that businesses, organisations, and citizens are informed of new regulations coming into force. This marks a key step towards the full implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. For traders, this provides clarity and certainty, confirming that Mozambique will grant preferential tariff treatment to eligible goods upon importation, in line with its commitments under the AfCFTA Agreement. #AfCFTA #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

On the sidelines of the AU Mid-Year Review Meeting in Malabo 🇬🇶, the AfCFTA Secretariat is convening a RECs coordination meeting.  In this significant gathering, the AfCFTA Secretariat brings together senior officials from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Business Councils to promote coordination on legal and institutional frameworks that shape Africa’s single market. The meeting aims to foster collaboration between the AfCFTA and REC legal frameworks, establish a harmonised implementation approach, promote a conducive trading environment for Africa's private sector, and mobilise technical and financial partnerships.  This process builds on the understanding that RECs are the building blocks of Africa’s integration and are vital to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA.

Today in Nairobi, Kenya, the #AfCFTA Secretariat opened the Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) Workshop; a key step toward eliminating technical barriers to trade under the #AfCFTA.  The workshop brings together National Quality Infrastructure Institutions, Regulatory Authorities, private sector stakeholders and State Parties to advance the mutual recognition of conformity assessments results through knowledge sharing, dialogue on regulatory and technical issues, and lessons from global best practices, the workshop aims to shape a clear path toward the implementation of the AfCFTA’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement, unlocking trust, alignment, and market access. #AfCFTA#MRAs

At The Africa Debate 2025, held at the Guildhall in London under the theme “Harnessing Natural Capital for Growth,” H.E. Wamkele Mene presented the state of play of AfCFTA implementation during a high-level panel session. With 49 countries having ratified the Agreement and all protocols now adopted, the Secretary-General noted that Africa has officially transitioned from negotiation to implementation. He emphasised that this marks a turning point in the continent’s economic trajectory. Highlighting sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and the digital economy, he outlined how regional value chains are being developed to transform Africa from a source of raw materials to a hub for value-added trade and investment. As the AfCFTA enters this critical phase, the focus remains on harmonised regulations, strategic infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth, ensuring that women, youth, and SMEs are central to Africa’s industrial future.