FEDA membership expands as Senegal and Liberia accede, and Angola and Zimbabwe ratify the Establishment Agreement
14 September, 2026 The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the equity investment arm of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has expanded its membership, with Senegal and Liberia acceding to the FEDA Establishment Agreement, while Zimbabwe and Angola have ratified the Agreement. The developments bring FEDA’s membership to 24 countries and strengthen its […]
Namibia grants legal recognition to electronic signatures under AfCFTA digital trade rules
10 September, 2026 Namibia has legally recognised electronic signatures, marking a significant step towards implementing its obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade. The development supports Article 8 of the Protocol, which requires State Parties to recognise the legal validity, effect and admissibility of electronic signatures. According to […]
AfCFTA signs digital trade corridor deal, eyes $500 billion in Intra-African Commerce
7 September, 2026 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has signed a joint venture agreement with Ghana-based Quest Ghana Limited to develop a digital trade corridor aimed at supporting efforts to more than double intra-African trade from approximately $200 billion to $500 billion and beyond. The initiative is expected to provide digital […]
AfCFTA signs $3.1bn customs modernisation deal to boost Intra-African Trade
10 August, 2026 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has entered into a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited to implement the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project (ACMP). The initiative is aimed at modernising customs administration, facilitating cross-border trade, reducing border bottlenecks and strengthening revenue collection across Africa. […]
ECOWAS Commission Strengthens Capacity on ASRII Digital Platform
10 August, 2026 The ECOWAS Commission held a four-day capacity-building training on the African Regional Integration Synthesized Index (ASRII) Digital Platform from 4–7 August 2026 in Abuja. The training, organised as part of the African Union’s initiative to improve the monitoring and reporting of regional integration, brought together representatives from various ECOWAS Directorates and […]
India-Africa trade tops $100 billion as business leaders push for stronger investment links
August 3, 2026 Trade between India and Africa has surpassed $100 billion, reflecting the strengthening economic partnership between the two regions. The milestone was highlighted at the India Africa Entrepreneurship Forum (IAEF) Summit in Cape Town, which brought together entrepreneurs, investors, government officials and business leaders to promote trade, investment and business collaboration. Held at […]
Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon Customs move to modernise borders, boost AfCFTA Trade
August 3, 2026 The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, alongside the Customs administrations of Benin Republic and Cameroon, has taken a major step towards strengthening regional border management and accelerating intra-African trade following a high-level benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa The five-day mission, organised with the support of the […]
Reps move to domesticate AfCFTA, advance 13 commerce bills to boost trade, digital economy
August 3, 2026 The House of Representatives has begun legislative consideration of 13 commerce-related bills, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Domestication Bill, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s commercial and trade framework. The public hearing, organised by the House Committee on Commerce, brought together representatives from government, regulatory agencies, the private sector, professional […]
The AAGP Intergovernmental Agreement: How Far Does it Take the Project?
24 July, 2026 The AAGP Intergovernmental Agreement: How Far Does it Take the Project? The signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) by participating ECOWAS Member States on Sunday 20th of July 2026 at Freetown, Sierra Leone pending a similar ceremony at which Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic […]
SADC Trade Ministers Reinforce Regional Integration and Industrialisation Agenda
June 22, 2026 The recent virtual meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Ministers marks another important milestone in the region’s long-term journey towards deeper economic integration, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth. While the discussions reaffirmed progress made under the SADC Free Trade Area and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy, they also highlighted the […]
ECOWAS unites on minerals, industrialisation to power AfCFTA
June 20, 2026 Ghana’s call for West African countries to adopt a “mine together, process together” approach marks a bold shift in Africa’s industrialisation agenda. Rather than continuing the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals with little or no value addition, the initiative advocates regional collaboration to develop processing industries that can transform Africa’s […]
SMART Zambia and TradeMark Africa Partner to Advance Border Digitalisation and Trade Facilitation
June 17, 2026 SMART Zambia Institute and TradeMark Africa have initiated a strategic partnership to modernise Zambia’s border management systems and enhance regional trade through digital transformation. During discussions held in Lusaka on 15 June, officials from both organisations explored the deployment of digital technologies to improve border efficiency, streamline cross-border trade processes, and […]
AfCFTA chief projects intra-African trade to reach $230 billion by 2027
20th May 2026 Intra-African trade is projected to rise to $230 billion by 2027 from a record $220 billion in 2024, according to Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Speaking at the BIASHARA Afrika 2026 Forum in Lomé, Mene said global geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism have made African economic integration […]
Ethiopia Secures Over 8 Billion USD in 10 Months from Export Trade
20th May 2026 Ethiopia has earned more than $8.7 billion in export revenue during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, according to Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and chairman of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange board. Speaking at the graduation of 168 coffee sommeliers from the ECX Academy, Kassahun said Ethiopia’s export […]
Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria first to implement AfCFTA’s ADAPT
20th May 2026 The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat has selected Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria as the first countries to implement ADAPT, a digital infrastructure initiative designed to support cross-border trade across Africa. The announcement was made in Accra on 19 May 2026. ADAPT, which stands for Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade, was launched in […]
AfCFTA Secretariat deepens partnership with Japan to advance trade and digital inclusion
18th May 2026 The AfCFTA Secretariat has strengthened its partnership with Japan following high-level discussions aimed at advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a strong focus on trade facilitation and expanding digital trade opportunities for women and youth. The meeting, held in Accra at the AfCFTA Secretariat headquarters, brought […]
UNDP Says AfCFTA Could Transform Liberia’s Economy
15th May 2026 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called on Liberia to undertake major regulatory and institutional reforms in order to fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at a national workshop in Monrovia, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia said the continental trade agreement presents a […]
Ghana Minister Links Africa’s Growth to Trade and Values
15th May 2026 Ghana’s Deputy Trade Minister, Sampson Ahi, has urged African countries to drive economic transformation through trade integration, industrialisation, agribusiness expansion, and innovation, while emphasizing the need for ethical leadership and accountability. Speaking at the 2026 Let Africa Go Conference in Akwapim Mampong, Ahi described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as […]
Nigeria, Malaysia hit $1.2bn trade boom as new customs deal takes shape
11th May 2026 Trade relations between Nigeria and Malaysia have strengthened significantly over the past five years, with total bilateral trade reaching approximately $1.21 billion, according to the Nigeria Customs Service. This growth has been driven largely by a sharp increase in Nigerian imports from Malaysia, highlighting deepening commercial ties between both countries. Imports rose markedly from $106.6 […]
Ghana and Nigeria Forge Shea Trade Alliance at Accra Summit
11th May 2026 Ghana and Nigeria have initiated targeted bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation across the shea value chain, leveraging the platform of the 18th Annual Global Shea Alliance Conference 2026 held in Accra. The high-level engagement brought together key government officials and industry stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities in financing, industrial processing, and […]
China discovers faster shipping routes to Africa as $6.3bn trade surge signals new economic shift
11th May 2026 China is strengthening its maritime trade links with Africa through the introduction of new direct shipping routes from key domestic ports, a move aimed at improving logistics efficiency and lowering transportation costs across major trade corridors. The development comes ahead of a planned zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, scheduled to take effect in May […]
Nigeria Launches AfCFTA Toolkits to Enhance Trade
11th May 2026 The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced simplified trade guidebooks and practical toolkits to support greater private sector participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, as part of ongoing efforts to boost intra-African commerce. The initiative was launched in Kano during a North-West regional engagement led by the Minister of Industry, Trade […]
Ghana, Zimbabwe explore closer ties in trade, energy, agriculture
21st April 2026 John Mahama has called for stronger cooperation between Ghana and Zimbabwe across key sectors such as trade, mining, agriculture, and energy, as both countries seek to deepen economic ties and promote regional integration. He made the remarks during bilateral talks with Emmerson Mnangagwa on April 2 as part of efforts to strengthen relations. Mahama highlighted recent […]
Zero-tariff move boosts confidence in China-South Africa trade ties
20th April 2026 A China–South Africa trade forum held in Cape Town brought together policymakers, business leaders, and investors to explore opportunities for deepening bilateral economic ties. The event followed China’s introduction of zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries, a policy widely seen as a catalyst for expanding trade and investment flows. The China-South Africa […]
AfCFTA names Nigeria pilot country for simplified trade regime implementation
7th April 2026 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has designated Nigeria as the pilot country for implementing the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) in West Africa, aimed at supporting small-scale cross-border trade. This decision was communicated during a recent engagement between an AfCFTA delegation, led by Pedro Estevao, and the Nigeria Customs […]
Nigeria’s National Single Window goes live
6th April 2026 The National Single Window (NSW), a long-awaited digital platform aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s trade procedures, officially launched after decades of anticipation. The platform is designed to unify all import, export, and transit processes, allowing traders to submit documents to multiple government agencies through a single online system. This initiative seeks to […]
Nigeria Signs Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 Host Agreement; Gears Up For Africa’s Biggest Marketplace
24th March 2026 Nigeria has officially signed the host agreement for the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), scheduled to take place in Lagos from 5 to 11 November 2027. Taking over from Algeria, which hosted the fourth edition that generated US$49.94 billion in trade and investment deals, Nigeria’s hosting underscores its central role in advancing intra-African trade and […]
Mauritania Signs $1B ITFC Trade Finance Agreement
24th March 2026 The Mauritania ITFC trade finance agreement, valued at $1 billion and spanning five years (2026–2030), represents a significant milestone in strengthening Mauritania’s access to structured trade financing and supporting long-term economic development. Signed between the Government of Mauritania and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank […]
Seychelles Signs MoU with AfCFTA to Boost Digital Trade and Economy
23rd March 2026 The AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with Quest Ghana Limited and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Seychelles’ digital economy and enhancing its participation in Africa’s growing digital trade ecosystem. The agreement underscores Seychelles’ commitment to leveraging the AfCFTA framework to expand trade opportunities […]
Togo approves bill updating environmental law and introducing carbon tax
23rd March 2026 Togo’s National Assembly has approved, at first reading, a bill amending the country’s May 30, 2008 environmental framework law, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening climate and environmental governance. The text, passed on March 5, 2026, during the third plenary sitting of the year’s first extraordinary session, seeks to modernize the legal framework in response to […]