The 2025 Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments held from 29th – 30th September 2025, underscored growing confidence in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of continental integration and industrial transformation. Speakers from across Africa commended the AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, for its tangible progress in operationalizing the single African market through the development of instruments, frameworks, and partnerships.
Mr. Mene reported remarkable progress under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), with the number of AfCFTA Certificates of Origin issued rising sharply from just 13 in 2022 to 8,561 by June 2025, reflecting strong private sector engagement and growing confidence in the framework. Intra-African trade climbed to US$220.3 billion in 2024, marking a 12.4% rebound, while the composition of trade showed a meaningful shift from primary commodities toward industrial and manufactured goods such as machinery, vehicles, food products, and electronics — a key indicator of diversification and structural transformation.
Progress was also recorded in trade in services, with 24 Schedules of Commitments adopted across priority sectors including business, finance, communication, tourism, and transport. The AfCFTA Secretariat is developing Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) guidelines to facilitate professional mobility across borders, further deepening integration. Additionally, initiatives in agro-processing, fisheries, textiles, and automotive manufacturing highlight the AfCFTA’s focus on value-added production.
The newly launched AfCFTA Automotive Strategy, supported by a US$1 billion Afreximbank facility, stands out as a transformative step toward industrialization and job creation. Progress in pharmaceuticals and the introduction of the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring that women, youth, and SMEs gain access to the opportunities created by the continental market.