Experts reaffirm commitment to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation Across Africa

Lusaka, Zambia - 17 September 2025 (ECA) - The three-day Regional Workshop on the Accelerated Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, with strong calls for deeper regional integration, enhanced intra-African trade, and inclusive economic transformation.

Jointly organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Offices for Eastern Africa and Southern Africa, the workshop brought together senior government officials from Comoros, Djibouti, Senegal, and Zambia, alongside representatives from COMESA, Afreximbank, ITC, GIZ, and other development partners.

In her remarks, Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director of ECA in Southern Africa, emphasized the importance of translating AfCFTA opportunities into tangible outcomes for African citizens. "Accelerated implementation is not just about speed," she said, "it is about depth, inclusivity, and sustainability."

The workshop featured presentations of AfCFTA Impact Studies for four countries: Comoros, Djibouti, Senegal and Zambia and practical sessions on implementation tools such as the E-Tariff Portal, NTB Notification Platform, and PAPSS, and dynamic roundtables on market access and private sector engagement.

In his closing reflections, Mr. Andrew Mold, Director of ECA in Eastern Africa, challenged participants to rethink trade priorities. "Africa's economic future lies in regional collaboration," he stressed. "Around 30% of exports by Eastern and Southern African countries are already intra-African, double the commonly cited figure for the continent of 15%. This is a strong foundation to build upon."

Mr. Mold also underscored the importance of looking at the numbers on intra-regional trade from the right perspective. "Two-thirds of Zambian exports compromise of copper, which are sent outside the continent. But for the rest of Zambia's trade, the regional market is already extremely important because there are more opportunities to export value-added products. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major market for Zambia's diversified products."

The Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen public-private partnerships to drive AfCFTA implementation; remove non-tariff barriers and harmonize standards to facilitate cross-border commerce and invest in infrastructure and logistics to unlock regional value chains.

As the AfCFTA continues to take shape, ECA reaffirmed its support to member states through technical assistance, policy guidance, and stakeholder engagement.

"Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our shared vision: a prosperous, industrialized Africa where trade drives transformation," concluded Ms. Kamwendo.

Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: [email protected]