LOME, Togo--AfCFTA Secretariat secretary-general Wamkele Mene has tipped intra-African trade as a key buffer to shield the continent amid global turbulence and rising protectionism that is weakening the multilateral trading system.
In his remarks at the opening of Biashara Afrika 2026 on Monday, Mene cited unprecedented global turbulence, a multiplicity of unlawful wars, rising protectionism, geopolitical fragmentation and accelerated efforts to weaken the multilateral trading system.
He said while the multilateral trading system has been imperfect, it has offered a rules-based framework, unlike the “trade law of the jungle” seen today.
Mene said Africa must urgently deepen intra-continental trade and economic integration to reduce dependence on external markets, strengthen resilience, and advance industrialisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework amid growing global uncertainty.
“All of these headwinds will test our resolve as a continent. We should be in no doubt that, as a result of these externalities, our historic task of moving ever closer to economic integration will be rendered more difficult, but not impossible in the medium to long term, but even more essential,” he said.
“These adverse externalities compel Africa to eliminate excessive dependence on external demand, to build a domestic market through the AfCFTA, to achieve economic resilience and to advance our noble ambition of industrialisation and economic sovereignty.”
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Mene said the political will and leadership of Heads of State has been unprecedented in ensuring the free trade area becomes a reality.
To date, 50 State Parties have ratified the agreement, reflecting broad continental ownership of the integration agenda, with 26 State Parties actively trading under AfCFTA preferential rules after domestication of the framework.
AfCFTA is the world’s largest trading bloc, covering more than one billion people with a combined gross domestic product of over US$3,4 trillion.
According to the World Bank, the agreement has the potential to lift about 100 million Africans out of poverty and boost the continent’s GDP by US$450 billion by 2035.
AfCFTA is seen as key to driving intra-African trade and reducing reliance on external markets amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
In 2025, total African trade reached approximately US$1,4 trillion, with intra-African trade accounting for roughly 18% of total trade, supported by ongoing implementation of AfCFTA, according to the African Trade and Economic Outlook 2026 report.
Africa’s trade is projected to continue expanding, with a 10% increase expected in 2026.
Similarly, intra-African trade is projected to reach US$230 billion by 2026, driven in part by accelerated implementation of AfCFTA.
Biashara Afrika is a flagship business and investment forum of the AfCFTA Secretariat, dedicated to connecting policymakers, business leaders, and investors to accelerate intra-African trade.
This year’s event, which runs from May 18 to 20, is being held under the theme, Powering Africa's Economic Transformation through the AfCFTA.