ECA and AfCFTA sign MoU for enhanced trade implementation in Africa 

A statement by the Executive Secretary of ECA, Claver Gatete, on Tuesday said the MoU was signed at the Africa Business Forum (ABF 2025) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last weekend.

Gatete emphasized that both organizations are committed to fostering cooperation to support the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.

The MoU sets the stage for closer collaboration between the two institutions, with a focus on advancing trade integration, industrialization, and private sector development across Africa.

The agreement establishes a framework for ECA and the AfCFTA Secretariat to work together in key areas, including market access and trade facilitation, supporting the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.

“We have the industrial and regional value chains, promoting industrialization and deeper economic linkages across African economies,” Gatete stated.

He added that the partnership would involve training and capacity building to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for implementing AfCFTA policies, as well as enhancing trade logistics and cross-border efficiency.

“The implementation of AfCFTA is a transformative opportunity for Africa, but its success depends on strong institutional partnerships. This MoU solidifies our commitment to working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to drive trade integration, enhance market access, and support Africa’s economic development,” Gatete said.

“Together, we can create a more enabling environment for African businesses and governments to fully utilize AfCFTA’s benefits. With AfCFTA aiming to create a single African market of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of 3.4 trillion dollars, this MoU represents a crucial step in unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade,” Mene stated.

The partnership will focus on developing concrete trade facilitation programs, policy reforms, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the smooth implementation of the AfCFTA.

The African Union (AU) has officially endorsed Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion for the continent under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.

In his annual report on the progress of the AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol, former President of Niger Republic and AU AfCFTA Champion Mahamadou Issoufou praised Nigeria’s leadership for organizing the Digital Economy Roundtable in January. He highlighted the event’s pivotal role in advancing the digital trade agenda.