Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Wamkele Mene, has stated that the AfCFTA has entered a critical new phase focused on implementation and practical delivery, marking a major step forward in Africa’s economic integration agenda.
Speaking during the Africa Investment and Trade Conference in Algiers (AFIC12) held on 9 May 2026 in Algiers, Mr Mene noted that AfCFTA has successfully moved beyond negotiations, with the necessary legal instruments, operational frameworks, and institutional mechanisms now in place to support trade and investment across the continent.
Addressing participants from government, business, and investment communities, Mr Mene emphasised that the focus has now shifted toward ensuring that African businesses, particularly the private sector, can fully utilise the opportunities created under the AfCFTA. He stressed that the Agreement is designed to create a more integrated African market capable of driving industrialisation, boosting intra-African trade, and strengthening regional value chains.
“The AfCFTA is no longer only about negotiations. We are now in the phase of implementation, where the instruments and mechanisms required to facilitate trade and private sector participation are increasingly being operationalised,” he noted during his intervention.
Mr Mene also commended Algeria for the progress made in implementing the AfCFTA Agreement and for its growing role in advancing trade and investment initiatives on the continent. He highlighted Algeria’s strategic importance as a gateway for trade and investment opportunities connecting Africa to regional and global markets.
The Secretary-General further reflected on the changing global economic environment, characterised by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and increasing market uncertainty. In this context, he underscored the need for Africa to position itself strategically by strengthening regional integration, expanding productive capacity, and reducing dependence on external markets.
A key theme of his address was the importance of inclusive trade and ensuring that the benefits of the AfCFTA are widely shared across society. H.E. Mene stressed that women, youth, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) must be better integrated into continental trade frameworks and supported to access opportunities under the AfCFTA preferential market.
He noted that empowering smaller businesses and underrepresented groups would be essential to achieving sustainable economic growth, job creation, and long-term industrial development across Africa.
The participation of Wamkele Mene at Africa Investment and Trade Conference in Algiers (AFIC12) reflects the growing momentum behind the implementation of the AfCFTA and the increasing commitment by African leaders and institutions to transform the continent into a globally competitive and integrated economic bloc.
Post Views: 56
Discover more from The Business & Financial Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
