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African Continental Free Trade Area

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 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 under the framework commencing in January 2021. AfCFTA brings together 54 of the 55 African Union member states, covering a combined population of more than 1.3-billion people and a combined gross domestic product exceeding $3.4-trillion. The agreement aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods, reduce barriers to trade in services and address regulatory and customs obstacles that have historically fragmented African markets. AfCFTA is intended to boost intra-African trade, which has historically accounted for a small share of the continent's total trade compared with other regions. The framework supports industrialisation by enabling economies of scale, encouraging regional value chains and reducing dependence on exports of raw materials to markets outside the continent. Implementation faces challenges including infrastructure deficits, differing levels of economic development, complex rules of origin and the need for harmonised standards and digital customs systems. The AfCFTA Secretariat, based in Accra, Ghana, coordinates the rollout and provides technical support to member states. The initiative is regarded as a landmark step in African economic integration and a driver of long-term growth and development.

African Continental Free Trade Area Updates


An image of a DHL warehouse
Global logistics company to develop new centre
15th May 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Signalling its confidence in South Africa’s role as a regional logistics and distribution hub for sub‑Saharan Africa, global logistics company DHL will invest R220-million in a new multi user... 


An image of a automotive assembly line
Structural constraints leave OEMs’ supply chain exposed
15th May 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Despite experiencing frequent supply chain disruptions over the last six years, suppliers remain reactive rather than proactive, owing to structural constraints within the value chain, leaving... 


GCRO, Mistra launch Gauteng 2035 scenarios report
14th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

A new report has outlined three scenarios for South Africa’s most populous province by 2035. The 'Finding Our Rhythm: Pathways and Futures for the Gauteng City Region' report, published on... 


Representatives from the 17 partner institutions at the signing of a declaration of intent, at the Business Forum of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya
Africa AgriTrade Coalition financial initiative launched at summit in Kenya
12th May 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

French development finance institution Proparco has announced the launch of the Africa AgriTrade Coalition, to scale up agricultural value chain trade financing across the continent. In addition to... 


An image of a steel structure in construction
Challenges erode industry sustainability
24th April 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

While South Africa’s metal fabrication and metalworking sector is diverse, resilient and robust, it faces significant constraints, compounded by competition from Asian markets, which threaten the... 


A generic image of a farmer carrying a sack
Conflict in Middle East could cost Africa 0.2 percentage points in economic growth in 2026
17th April 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

A joint policy document presented by continental body the African Union (AU) Commission, multilateral development finance organisation the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), regional... 


Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
Africa needs to add value to its resources
13th April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Exporting raw materials and then importing finished products is bad for Africa. So affirmed former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in a concise video address to the 2026 African Refiners and... 


A car manufacturing plant
Manufacturing faces demand constraints despite improving outlook
10th April 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Manufacturing in South Africa is showing early signs of recovery; however, weak demand, rising costs and global trade uncertainty continue to constrain growth, speakers said at a strategic outlook... 


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