The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is urging African countries to focus on unlocking the full potential of their domestic markets as the foundation for a unified continental economy.
This call was reinforced during an official visit by AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene to Cameroon, where he engaged with the Minister of Trade, H.E. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, and the local business community.
Since its inception, the AfCFTA has reached significant milestones. So far, 54 out of 55 African Union member states have signed the agreement, with 49 ratifying it, representing over 90% of signatories.
Mr. Mene described this strong political commitment as evidence of Africa’s collective vision for a resilient, self-sustaining market.
“We must now focus on building our domestic markets, unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment, and industrial growth,” Mr. Mene emphasized.
He noted that in light of global trade disruptions and uncertainties, including the potential expiration of trade preferences like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Africa must take pragmatic steps toward internal economic self-reliance.
One of AfCFTA’s key achievements is the successful implementation of its Guided Trade Initiative, which facilitated real shipments of value-added goods like processed foods, textiles, and batteries between member countries.
These early successes have directly empowered women-led SMEs and rural enterprises, Mr. Mene highlighted, proving that the AfCFTA is not just about trade liberalization but also about economic inclusion.
“These are real trades involving real businesses that are creating real jobs. The AfCFTA is helping to diversify economies and uplift communities,” he said.
With the Guided Trade Initiative now completed, its legacy will continue through established AfCFTA structures and be further expanded via the Biashara Africa Project, a platform designed to deepen trade engagement and cross-border partnerships.
The Secretary-General also reported substantial progress in the area of services trade. So far, 24 Schedules of Specific Commitments (SSCs) have been adopted across five priority service sectors: Business, Communication, Financial, Tourism, and Transport.
These SSCs are essential for creating transparent and predictable rules that guide how services are delivered across the continent.
Mr. Mene reiterated that building cross-border value chains, encouraging intra-African investment, and creating decent jobs should remain central to every nation’s approach to the AfCFTA.
“Businesses in Cameroon, across Central Africa, and the wider continent have a key role in making the AfCFTA real, not just by trading more, but by investing in domestic production and forming meaningful cross-border partnerships,” he added.
He expressed confidence in Africa’s capacity to strengthen its internal market in a short time if governments and private sector actors work together with determination.
