Africa stands at a critical juncture, facing persistent global volatility while striving to unleash its full economic potential. This was the powerful message at the Regional Workshop on the “Accelerated Implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement” in Lusaka, Zambia.
Co-organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Subregional offices for Eastern and Southern Africa, the gathering brought together experts to explore how the AfCFTA can become the engine for a truly borderless and prosperous continent.
The Rationale for a Unified Market
Mr. Rodgers Mukwaya, the Economic Affairs Officer at the ECA, set the tone by declaring that the AfCFTA offers a “unique opportunity to deepen regional trade, build resilient value chains, and accelerate industrial development.”
“Africa stands at a critical juncture. Growth is rebounding, yet remains below potential, constrained by global volatility,” he noted.
His message was echoed by Dr. Andrew Mold, Director of ECA SRO-EA, who, drawing from his book “Towards a Borderless Africa?”, underscored the compelling logic behind a unified continental market of 1.5 billion people and a US$3.9 trillion GDP.
The experts stressed that the urgency of the AfCFTA lies in tackling structural transformation; moving beyond mere tariff reduction to address deeper, more complex issues.
They highlighted the often-overlooked strength of informal cross-border trade, the need to empower SMEs, and the importance of embracing digital trade to unlock new growth opportunities.
Practical Roadmap from Vision to Action
The workshop served as a crucial step in moving from high-level ambition to concrete action. The agenda included a rigorous validation of AfCFTA impact studies, a candid assessment of progress and bottlenecks, from inadequate infrastructure to policy misalignment, and capacity-building sessions on key implementation tools like the Rules of Origin and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky, an Economic Affairs Officer at ECA SRO-SA, provided an insightful overview of the agreement, noting that 49 countries have already ratified it.
She reaffirmed the ECA’s ongoing support to member states in developing implementation strategies and fostering green and digital trade readiness.
Empowering the Drivers of Transformation
Ultimately, the consensus at the workshop was clear: that the AfCFTA is far more than a trade agreement.
As Mr. Mukwaya passionately stated, it is a blueprint for Africa’s economic future; a strategy for creating jobs for the youth, fostering industrialisation for economies, building resilience for societies, and ensuring inclusive growth for all.
The workshop underscored that a united Africa, driven by policy reform and a shared vision, is the most powerful tool for navigating global volatility and forging a path toward sustained economic prosperity.
The presenters applauded the government of Zambia for providing the platform for this critical dialogue on the continent’s economic future.