The head of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat held talks with business leaders in Seychelles on expanding private sector participation in intra-African trade under the continent’s free trade pact.
Secretary-General Wamkele Mene met with Oliver Bastienne, chairman of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to discuss how companies in the Indian Ocean island nation can benefit from opportunities created by the (AfCFTA).
The discussions focused on ways Seychellois businesses can expand access to African markets, build regional partnerships and diversify export destinations under the free trade framework.
Participants also examined constraints facing companies in Seychelles when trading with other African markets, including structural and logistical barriers that often limit cross-border commerce for smaller economies, the discussions further identified sectors where Seychelles firms could compete across the continent and explored opportunities to strengthen business-to-business partnerships with companies in other African countries.
The chamber was recognised for its role in supporting private sector participation in continental trade and helping local businesses position themselves to take advantage of new market openings created by the AfCFTA.
The trade pact, which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, is expected to lower trade barriers and encourage deeper economic integration among member states, offering smaller economies broader access to regional supply chains and export markets.
