African countries are being urged to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as new projections show the agreement could unlock nearly $276 billion in additional intra-African trade by 2045.
The projection, released ahead of a regional AfCFTA implementation workshop in Lomé, Togo, highlights the growing importance of cross-border trade in driving Africa’s industrialisation, economic diversification and business growth.
According to simulations by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), full implementation of the AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade by 45 percent over the next two decades, with major gains expected in agribusiness, manufacturing and services.
The findings come at a time when African economies are facing rising global uncertainties, including supply chain disruptions linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions and external economic shocks.
The two-day workshop, scheduled for May 21 to 22 in Lomé, is being organised by the ECA through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and Subregional Offices for West and North Africa, with support from Open Society Foundations.
The meeting will bring together trade ministry officials, regional economic communities, private sector representatives, chambers of commerce, SMEs and development partners to examine progress made under the AfCFTA and identify strategies to accelerate implementation.
Organisers say the discussions will focus heavily on how African businesses can leverage the continental market to expand operations beyond domestic borders and reduce dependence on external markets.
The ECA noted that the AfCFTA presents a major opportunity for African countries to build stronger regional value chains and improve economic resilience through increased intra-continental trade.
Beyond trade expansion, the agreement is also expected to support industrial growth and job creation, particularly for young people and women, who make up a significant portion of Africa’s informal and SME sectors.
Analysts say sectors such as agro-processing, light manufacturing, logistics, financial services and digital trade stand to benefit significantly if barriers to regional commerce are reduced.
The Lomé workshop is also expected to promote peer learning among countries that have already implemented reforms under their national AfCFTA strategies.
Participants will share experiences, challenges and best practices in areas including customs reforms, trade facilitation, market access and private sector participation.
Organisers believe stronger coordination between governments and businesses will be critical to ensuring the AfCFTA delivers meaningful economic transformation across the continent.
The workshop will further examine how Africa can use the AfCFTA to strengthen regional supply chains and create a more integrated continental market capable of withstanding external economic pressures.
The AfCFTA, which officially commenced trading in 2021, is regarded as one of the world’s largest free trade areas by membership, bringing together 54 African countries into a single market.
Trade experts say while implementation has been gradual in some countries, the agreement remains one of Africa’s strongest tools for boosting regional commerce and positioning local businesses for continental competitiveness.
