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AfCFTA

AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) is a continental free-trade zone established by the African Union to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. The agreement was signed in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2018 and entered into force in May 2019, with trading commencing in January 2021. It brings together all 55 African Union member states, representing a combined population of more than 1.3-billion people and a combined GDP of about $3.4-trillion. The AfCFTA aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods, progressively liberalise trade in services, and address regulatory barriers to trade. It is designed to boost intra-African trade, which has historically been low compared with other regions, and to promote industrialisation and economic diversification across the continent. The agreement establishes a framework for the free movement of business travellers and investments, and includes protocols on intellectual property rights, competition policy, and digital trade. Implementation is coordinated by the AfCFTA Secretariat, headquartered in Accra, Ghana. The initiative is regarded as a key pillar of the African Union's Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa. Challenges to full implementation include infrastructure deficits, non-tariff barriers, and varying levels of industrial capacity among member states. The AfCFTA is the world's largest free-trade area by number of participating countries and is expected to significantly reshape Africa's economic landscape by fostering regional value chains and reducing dependence on external markets.

AfCFTA News


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
Egypt, South Africa launch business council to drive industry and agriculture
5th October 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Egypt and South Africa have launched a Joint Business Council to boost trade, including in mining, agriculture, renewable energy and mobility, and economic relations between the nations. Key... 


A rail track
AfDB, German Ministry partner to develop Africa railway systems' regional integration
2nd October 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Development finance institution the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have formed a partnership to develop... 


Head and shoulders shot of Marcus
Innovation key to sector growth
28th August 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Creating a competitive advantage has become the South African food and beverage sector's greatest challenge, with business organisation the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI)... 


An image of UN Economic Commission for Africa deputy executive secretary and chief economist Hanan Morsy
Africa urged to rethink critical minerals strategy to capture more value
31st July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The world is entering a new industrial era, built for critical minerals, and this presents an opportunity for Africa to transform its economies, if that transformation is undertaken strategically.... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2027 Opens for Bookings as Africa's Premier Manufacturing Event Announces Its Return
Manufacturing Indaba 2027 Opens for Bookings as Africa's Premier Manufacturing Event Announces Its Return
28th July 2026

The organisers of the Manufacturing Indaba are pleased to announce that bookings are now officially open for the 14th Manufacturing Indaba Conference and Exhibition, taking place on 13 - 14 July... 


head and shoulders image of Renai
Components sector calls for stronger localisation support
24th July 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Greater policy support is needed to strengthen localisation and improve the competitiveness of South Africa’s automotive components manufacturing industry, says industry body the National... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 Concludes Successfully, Reinforcing Africa's Industrial Growth Agenda
16th July 2026

The 13th Manufacturing Indaba has successfully concluded following two impactful days of dialogue, collaboration and business engagement at the Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together... 


Manufacturing Indaba Image
How Manufacturing Indaba is powering Africa’s “Made in Africa” future
9th July 2026

For decades, Africa has supplied the world with raw materials, agricultural products and natural resources, while much of the value created from these resources has been captured elsewhere. Today,... 


International recognition supports African exports
3rd July 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

International recognition of South Africa’s accredited testing, inspection, certification and verification results is helping local companies to export goods and services under the African... 


DFFE’s New National Circular Economy Plan Exposes Deep Conflict with DTIC’s Scrap Metal Export Rules – Recycling Sector Demands Urgent Inter-Departmental Review
1st July 2026

The Recyclers Association of South Africa (RASA) has written to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment calling for an urgent inter-departmental review of the Price Preference... 


Africa PPP 2026 to Spotlight Bankable Infrastructure, Domestic Capital and Project Delivery
Africa PPP 2026 to Spotlight Bankable Infrastructure, Domestic Capital and Project Delivery
17th June 2026

The 16th edition of the Africa PPP Infrastructure Finance, Investment & Partnerships Summit (Africa PPP 2026) will return to Nairobi with a focus on turning infrastructure ambition into bankable... 


Image of Canninah Dladla
Revealing Africa’s great potential
2nd June 2026

By Canninah Dladla, Cluster President for SSA at Schneider Electric The well-known Richard Mullin quote: The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa, for he has so much to look... 


Pele Energy Group chairperson Brenda Martin
Africa's energy future cannot be exported, it must be built at home
8th May 2026

Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development trajectory. With abundant natural resources, a rapidly growing and youthful population projected to reach 2.5-billion by 2050 and accelerating... 


An image of the Johannesburg Arbitration Week panellists
Geopolitical shifts bringing role of Africa’s arbitration expertise to the fore
6th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The traditional global rules-based order is actively being reshaped, with arbitration being pulled into the front lines, and over time, geopolitics, not just the rule of law, determining how... 


SAPICS Announces Supply Chain Leader Lebogang Letsoalo as Closing Keynote Speaker for 2026 Conference
SAPICS Announces Supply Chain Leader Lebogang Letsoalo as Closing Keynote Speaker for 2026 Conference
28th April 2026

With more than 26 years of experience in transport, logistics and supply chain management, Letsoalo brings a powerful combination of industry expertise, purpose-driven leadership and a passion for... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to Accelerate 'Made in Africa' Agenda as Continent Pushes to Move from 3% to Global Manufacturing Powerhouse
Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to Accelerate 'Made in Africa' Agenda as Continent Pushes to Move from 3% to Global Manufacturing Powerhouse
24th April 2026

Africa's premier manufacturing event, the Manufacturing Indaba, returns to the Sandton Convention Centre on 14–15 July 2026 under the theme “Made in Africa: Scaling Growth, Shaping Trade”.  The... 


Johannesburg Arbitration Week 2026 to examine arbitration’s role in a fragmented global order
Johannesburg Arbitration Week 2026 to examine arbitration’s role in a fragmented global order
22nd April 2026

Johannesburg Arbitration Week (JAW) 2026 will bring together leading arbitrators, judges, former heads of state, legal practitioners, policymakers and business leaders in Johannesburg from 5 to 7... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to accelerate 'Made in Africa' agenda as continent pushes to move from 3% to global manufacturing powerhouse
21st April 2026

Africa's premier manufacturing event, the Manufacturing Indaba, returns to the Sandton Convention Centre on 14–15 July 2026 under the theme “Made in Africa: Scaling Growth, Shaping Trade”.  The... 


Energy security top of the Bill as African oil refiners solve robust defences against the vagaries of international markets at ARDA 20th annual conference
17th April 2026

Geopolitics has become the key driving force of international product markets and as a result, energy security has become more unstable than ever before. So, Africa must concentrate on industrial... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 Unveils Conference Programme to Drive Africa’s Industrial Growth
16th April 2026

The Manufacturing Indaba has officially launched its highly anticipated 2026 Conference Programme, setting the stage for a dynamic and solutions-driven gathering of industry leaders, policymakers... 


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pqt: 0.085s - ct: 0.136s - 277pq - 2rq
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