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AfCFTA


Ethiopia Officially Launches First Trade Under African Free Trade Area
Ethiopia marked a historic milestone today with the official launch of its first trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a move expected to boost the country’s regional trade integration and export potential
SADC Strengthens Trade Capacity in Eswatini Through AfCFTA Rules of Origin Training
The SADC Secretariat, in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), conducted a five-day training workshop on the AfCFTA Rules of Origin in Eswatini. the training was supported under the European Union–WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ CESARE Programme.
Nigeria, others seek AfCFTA digital trade protocol implementation
As part of efforts towards forging a viable and practical path for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, Nigeria has held the maiden digital trade market access roundtable, welcoming regulators from Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
Togo Launches Review of AfCFTA Strategy to Boost Trade Benefits
Togo began revising its national strategy for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on October 6. The Ministry of Trade, Handicrafts, and Local Consumption organized a three-day workshop in Lomé to update the framework.
AfCFTA risks failure without labor protections, union leader warns
The African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) promise of transformative economic integration could remain unfulfilled unless governments design industrial policies that prioritize workers’ welfare alongside trade liberalization, according to a prominent labor economist.
AfCFTA launches Tunisia workshop to harmonize digital trade laws
Five-day programme aims to help North African nation domesticate protocol as digital commerce integration advances. Tunisia has become the latest African country to receive targeted support for implementing the continent’s ambitious digital trade framework.
Ethiopia to begin AfCFTA trade next week ater initial schedule slip
Ethiopia is set to start trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Thursday, 3 October 2025.
Kenya takes lead in Africa’s digital trade push under AfCFTA
Kenya is positioning itself as a regional hub for digital trade and payments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a role highlighted during the 2025 World Trade Organization (WTO) forum in Geneva.
Ghana eyes strategic US port alliance for trade expansion
Ghana has initiated high-level discussions for a transformative port partnership between Tema Port and Delaware’s Port of Wilmington, positioning the West African nation to leverage its role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat for enhanced trans-Atlantic trade connectivity.
AfCFTA: A pan-African dream under influence?
Is the AfCFTA truly an autonomous African initiative that serves the peoples of the continent, or is it merely another tool for maintaining the dominant global economic order?
Call for signatures: We say no to AfCFTA – trade justice for people, not corporations!
As civil society groups across Africa, trade unions, farmers’ associations, local communities, and environmental, feminist, and youth movements, we raise our voices in collective opposition to the African Continental Free Trade Area.
ITUC-Africa seeks inclusion of exclusive protocol on labour
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has submitted a petition demanding a people-centred African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with a stand-alone protocol on labour and social clauses.
AfCFTA | bank of Algeria joins PAPSS network as Algeria prepares to host Intra-African Trade Fair 2025
Algeria now becomes the 18th country of presence for PAPSS, marking a significant step in advancing Africa’s journey towards deeper financial integration. Algeria’s accession to PAPSS comes at a moment when the nation prepares to host the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) from September 4-10 2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
Ethiopia issues AfCFTA tariff rules but excludes coffee and key services off tariff-free list
After years of hesitation, Ethiopia has finally taken a decisive step toward joining the AfCFTA. Nearly six years after ratifying the agreement, the country has published regulations in the Negarit Gazette outlining which goods and services will benefit from tariff concessions.
New white elephants in Africa?
The third summit on financing African infrastructure development is set to take place in Luanda from 28 to 31 October 2025. It aims to mobilise capital from Africa and elsewhere to strengthen the corridor strategy and boost investment in infrastructure to increase trade within the AfCFTA.
Ghana champions continental standards reform to anchor african free trade
Ghana is spearheading this transformation through a German-backed upgrade of its national measurement capabilities. Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare revealed the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is elevating its metrology services to National Metrology Institute (NMI) status with support from Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).
‘It ain’t feasible’: Ethiopia rules out EAC bid, roots for continental free trade
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Investments noted that joining the EAC would demand harmonization of trade policies and revenue-sharing frameworks—changes that could strain Ethiopia’s economic structure if implemented prematurely.
Trade : AfCFTA launches digital customs platform to boost Intra-African Commerce
On July 17, 2025, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched its long-awaited digital customs platform, designed to cut border processing times by 65%. The system integrates with national tax authorities across 15 initial member states.
UK unveils new trade reforms to boost African exports, intra-continental trade
African exporters and entrepreneurs are set to benefit from a new package of trade reforms unveiled by the United Kingdom, aimed at simplifying access to the UK market and strengthening economic ties with developing countries.