20th February 2026
The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) have reinforced their strategic partnership to accelerate intra-African trade, placing agriculture at the centre of efforts to boost farmer incomes, strengthen regional value chains, and enhance food security. The renewed collaboration seeks to translate continental trade ambitions into practical outcomes for agricultural markets across Africa.
The commitment was formalized on 14 February during a high-level event on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit, where Wamkele Mene and Alice Ruhweza signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement marks a new phase of cooperation focused on moving from legal frameworks to implementation, particularly as 50 countries have now ratified the AfCFTA Agreement.
Leaders emphasized that the AfCFTA presents a historic opportunity for Africa to shift from exporting raw commodities to building regional value chains that create jobs, raise farmer incomes, and improve food security. Through the AfCFTA Agri-Trade Action Plan, the partnership will support measures such as reducing non-tariff barriers, improving trade facilitation, promoting value addition, and mobilising investment in agricultural value chains.
Both institutions stressed that trade reform must be matched by stronger production capacity and market access for farmers and agri-enterprises. By linking policy to practical delivery, the partnership aims to ensure that intra-African agricultural trade drives inclusive growth, resilience and shared prosperity across the continent.