African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

📢Call for Vendors!!📢 The AfCFTA Secretariat is excited to announce an opportunity for reputable and qualified companies to join our vendor pre-qualification list for upcoming tenders. We are seeking suppliers for a wide range of goods, services, non-consulting services, and works. If your company meets the criteria and is ready to contribute to the #AfCFTA’s mission, we encourage you to apply! Please consult the below document for guidelines and requirements, and submit the Vendor Registration Form through this link: https://lnkd.in/dwbtR8Xg. ‼️Please be advised that the AfCFTA Secretariat will not accept physical documents. All submissions must be made electronically via the dedicated Google Forms link.‼️

The AfCFTA Trading Companies Roundtable began yesterday in Cape Town at the Westin Hotel, bringing together trading companies from across the continent to address key challenges in intra-African trade. This crucial engagement focuses on tackling trade barriers such as freight costs, taxes, levies, and logistical challenges among others, with open discussions led by the Trading companies on exploring practical solutions to enhance trade efficiency. With the private sector at the heart of Africa’s trade agenda, this round table is a key step toward deepening market integration, improving infrastructure and enhancing inter-continental trade. #AfCFTA#TradeinAfrica

Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦 will host two key engagements advancing AfCFTA implementation and intra-African trade: 🔹 5-6 March 2025 – The 5th Coordination Meeting of Senior Officials of RECs on AfCFTA Implementation, bringing together Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to discuss their role in fostering a unified African market. 🔹 6-7 March 2025 – The AfCFTA Trading Companies Roundtable at CTICC, providing a platform for the private sector to engage in discussions on enhancing trade and business collaboration under the AfCFTA. With the private sector playing a central role in driving intra-African trade, this roundtable aims to facilitate dialogue on opportunities and strategies to deepen market integration. #CreatingOneAfricanMarket #AfCFTA

Strengthening Africa’s trade starts with empowering its entrepreneurs. At SUFAWE 2025 in Cameroon, the AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with Attijariwafa Bank Group and SCB Cameroon, engaged with over 200 women entrepreneurs in a high-impact training session on market access, digital trade, and growth opportunities within the #AfCFTA framework. This collaboration reinforces a commitment to turning policies into practical solutions for businesses across the continent. #AfCFTA #WomenInTrade

The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade is more than just a policy—it is a gateway to unparalleled opportunities. With a young and dynamic population, rapidly expanding mobile penetration, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, Africa is poised for digital transformation.” – H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA. In his opening remarks at the DCO General Assembly, H.E. invited the DCO and its member states to take this opportunity to form partnerships that will drive implementation, empower African businesses, and create global market inter-connectivity. Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach 8.5% of GDP by 2050.Now is the time to implement our commitments and seize the opportunities ahead. Let’s turn commitments into impact. Africa has a comprehensive and forward-looking legally binding instrument on digital trade; the first of its kind.  #AfCFTA #DigitalEconomy

Panel Session Update:  Today at the 4th DCO General Assembly in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the AfCFTA’s vision for a digitally integrated Africa was highlighted. The discussions centered on strategic initiatives like the Digital Trade Protocol and the PAPSS. It explored how harmonized digital regulations and robust infrastructure can enable seamless cross-border transactions, drive economic diversification, and foster inclusive growth.  Additionally, the transformative impact of AI on trade, underscoring the importance of ethical guidelines and substantial investment in digital technologies was explored. We are indeed building a future of innovation and prosperity for Africa.  #AfCFTADigitalTrade #DigitalEconomy#AI

Congratulations to the Republic of Namibia on Gazetting Its AfCFTA Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs)! What does it mean to gazette or domesticate a trade commitment? It is an official announcement that enhances transparency, ensuring that businesses, organizations, and citizens are informed of new regulations coming into force. This marks a key step towards the full implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. For traders, this provides clarity and certainty—confirming that Namibia will grant preferential tariff treatment to eligible goods upon importation, in line with its commitments under the AfCFTA Agreement. #AfCFTA #Trade #Namibia Gazette#EconomicIntegration #OneAfricanMarket

Driving Africa’s Digital Future! Ahead of the DCO 4th General Assembly, H.E. Wamkele Mene met with DCO Secretary-General, H.E. Deemah Al Yahya in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to align on a shared vision; advancing Africa’s digital economy for inclusive growth and development. With the AU Assembly’s recent adoption of the Annexes to the Protocol on Digital Trade, Africa is at a turning point. H.E. Wamkele Mene emphasized the urgency of accelerating its implementation as a game-changer for: 1. Boosting intra-African trade through seamless digital transactions 2. Driving investment in digital infrastructure and innovation 3. Achieving economic diversification to create new opportunities 4. Building an inclusive digital future for all Africans H. E. Deemah Al Yahya lauded the #AfCFTA Secretary General for advancing the #AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, establishing Africa as a digital leader. She stressed the necessity of enhancing digital skills and infrastructure while initiating pilot programs across African nations for effective implementation. Additionally, she underscored the need for better collaboration to enhance Africa’s digital economy. #AfCFTADigitalTrade #Digital Economy

Sierra Leone has achieved a significant milestone as the first AfCFTA State Party to complete an implementation readiness assessment under the AfCFTA Implementation Review Mechanism (AFIRM). This comprehensive assessment evaluates the country’s implementation of its commitments and obligations under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods, marking progress and identifying challenges. As Sierra Leone prepares to begin trading under the AfCFTA, the assessment provides an insight not just into its readiness level but into areas requiring technical and capacity building support. Following seven days of in-depth discussions, at which national experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, reviewed Sierra Leone’s compliance with key obligations under the Protocol on Trade in Goods such as tariff schedules, rules of origin, customs cooperation, trade facilitation, transit, NTBs, TBTs and SPS, the meeting: 1. Validated the AfCFTA implementation readiness assessment report for Sierra Leone; 2. Approved an Action Plan to further improve Sierra Leone’s compliance to its AfCFTA commitments and obligations under the Protocol on Trade in Goods and prepare it to commence trading; 3. Identified broader challenges and opportunities for deeper trade integration under AfCFTA. The findings provide a clear roadmap for strengthening Sierra Leone’s trade capacity, with recommendations on legal and policy reforms, private sector engagement, and infrastructure development to unlock the full benefits of the Agreement. By leading this process, Sierra Leone sets a precedent for State Party accountability under the AFIRM. The report will not only inform national reforms but also serve as a model for other State Parties embarking on their own assessments. The AfCFTA Secretariat remains committed to supporting Sierra Leone in implementing the report recommendations, including its Action Plan. The Secretariat is committed to work with State Parties to ensure that all fully benefit from trading under the AfCFTA.

 Important Update: AfCFTA Youth Symposium 2025 To ensure a truly impactful and enriching experience, the AfCFTA Youth Symposium 2025, initially planned for 5–7 March, is being rescheduled. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and deeply value your understanding and continued support. The new dates will be announced in due course—stay tuned. #AYS2025