Addis Ababa — The 2023 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum is currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, under the theme “Acceleration of Implementation of the AfCFTA.” Convened by the AfCFTA Secretariat and held under the patronage of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the conference runs from 16 to 18 April 2023.
The AfCFTA Secretariat’s statement outlines the forum’s key objectives: to raise awareness of existing trade and investment opportunities among Africa’s business community, to connect businesses with funding sources for AfCFTA value chains, and to establish a private‑sector engagement platform for ongoing consultations on implementation needs. The forum also seeks to promote a private‑sector‑friendly environment—particularly for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) led by women and youth—by unlocking more accessible and affordable trade‑finance options.
The event aims to attract broad participation from Africa’s private sector, strategic investors, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, business councils, chambers of commerce, multinational corporations, African women and youth business organisations, as well as heads of state and government and AfCFTA partners.
AfCFTA Secretary‑General Wamkele Mene called on Africa’s business community to partner with the Secretariat to ensure successful implementation of the Agreement. He emphasized that creating an integrated “One African Market” depends on effective private‑sector participation, urging businesses to take a keen, active interest, support, and fully engage in AfCFTA programmes. “The idea is that we come together to find solutions aimed at boosting intra‑Africa trade, creating opportunities, innovation and, of course, taking advantage of this expanded market under the AfCFTA,” he said. Mene added that only with full involvement of the business community can Africa enhance intra‑African trade, improve its global trading position, and accelerate economic growth, industrialisation, production, and job creation.
The Business Forum is designed to give momentum to, and accelerate, AfCFTA implementation. While covering a range of pertinent trade issues, the conference will spotlight agro‑processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, transportation and logistics, and digital trade and payments. The forum follows the guided‑trade initiative, during which countries have already begun trading under AfCFTA, making this an ideal moment to promote business and investment across the continent.
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