African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA,  invites you to join us in Algiers, Algeria for the Intra-African Trade Fair. Be part of Africa’s Premier Trade and Investment Platform, where businesses,  investors, and policymakers converge to accelerate intra-African trade. Register today and secure your place! Click here: https://lnkd.in/eNbEZyjG #AfCFTA#IATF2025 #RoadToIATF

Registration for IATF 2025 in Algiers is still open.  Secure your spot at the continent’s largest gathering of businesses, investors, innovators, and policymakers, and unlock opportunities that drive intra-African trade and investment. Register today and join us on the Road to IATF 2025! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eNbEZyjG #AfCFTA #IATF2025 #RoadToIATF

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, met today to discuss the future of African economic integration and their ongoing strategic partnership. During the meeting, H.E. Wamkele Mene thanked Prsident Adesina and the Bank for their critical role in helping to establish and launch the AfCFTA Secretariat. He attributed the AfCFTA’s early successes—especially in digital trade and initiatives for women and youth—to the bank's support. H.E. Wamkele Mene stated that the Bank has been a steadfast partner from the start, helping the AfCFTA transition from a concept to a functioning institution. He emphasized that as the AfCFTA transitions from foundational work to full-scale implementation, the partnership with the Bank is more critical than ever, especially in overcoming remaining challenges. President Adesina commended H.E. Wamkele Mene for his leadership in turning the AfCFTA from a concept into concrete action. He highlighted key achievements, including progress on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), the rules of origin negotiations, and the recently adopted protocols on digital trade and empowering women and youth in trade. President Adesina also reaffirmed that the AfCFTA is central to the Bank's strategic plan and its "High 5s" priorities. He expressed satisfaction with the progress and emphasized the need for an integrated approach to transform the continent into a network of industrial manufacturing hubs and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), stressing that trade cannot flourish without infrastructure. He called for an integrated approach, which includes providing direct assistance to the AfCFTA Secretariat and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to enhance their institutional capacity, as well as offering programmatic support at the country level to accelerate implementation. The meeting concluded with both leaders committing to deepen their collaboration to ensure their shared vision of a prosperous, integrated African market becomes a reality.

The Press Launch of the 2025 AfCFTA Forum & Festival happened today at the #AfCFTA secretariat, Accra. Hosted in collaboration with our partners, the event set the stage for Africa’s creative industries to shine as key drivers of intra-African trade, cultural identity, and youth empowerment. The launch unveiled the host country and theme while bringing together stakeholders for high-level dialogue and new partnerships that will shape the journey for the next 3 years. The 2025 Forum & Festival will be a celebration of Africa’s innovation, creativity, and talent while serving as a powerful platform to advance our shared goal of creating a one Africa Market. #AfCFTA #CreativesConnect

The #AfCFTA Secretariat, in collaboration with Black Star Experience and @Africa Tourism Partners, will tomorrow host a Media Launch of the AfCFTA Forum and Festival on Tourism, Creatives, and Cultural Industries – Creatives Connect Afrika. The launch will introduce this new platform designed to celebrate Africa’s creative economy and its role in advancing intra-African trade. #AfCFTA #CreativesConnectAfrika #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

#IATF2025 is more than a trade fair; it is Africa’s marketplace of possibilities. From innovation, manufacturing, and creativity to knowledge and partnerships, the Intra-African Trade Fair showcases the power of a continent open for collaboration and growth. As co-convenors, the African Union, #AfCFTA, and #Afreximbank bring together businesses, policymakers, and investors to unlock Africa’s full potential.  At #IATF2025, it’s simply more of everything. Join us in Algeria from 4 to 10 September 2025. Your gateway to new opportunities. #IATF2025 #AfCFTA African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank),African Union,CNBC, Africa24,Intra-African Trade Fair IATF

Intra-African trade surges to $220bn in 2024 as AfCFTA gains traction. Read here: https://lnkd.in/etcstn-M

Today in Maputo, Mozambique, H.E. @MeneWamkele attended the Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting #Africa50GSM. He emphasised that infrastructure is central to trade and vital for AfCFTA implementation, with a goal to double intra-African trade by 2035. The meeting also witnessed the signing of a tripartite framework agreement between Africa50, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and AfDB to develop and finance transport, logistics, and digital trade platforms.

Tonight at 18:00 GMT | 20:00 CAT H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, will feature on Face the Nation with Clement Manyathela on SABC News (DStv Channel 404). The discussion will focus on strengthening Africa’s trade relations and advancing the AfCFTA’s implementation agenda. #AfCFTA #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

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