African countries are being urged to move faster on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as new projections estimate the agreement could generate nearly $276 billion in additional intra-African trade by 2045, ahead of a regional workshop opening in Lomé, Togo on May 21.
Simulations by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) show that full AfCFTA implementation could raise intra-African trade by 45 percent over the next two decades, with the largest gains expected in agribusiness, manufacturing and services.
The two-day workshop, running from May 21 to 22, is organised by the ECA through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and Subregional Offices for West and North Africa, with backing from Open Society Foundations. It will bring together trade ministry officials, regional economic communities, private sector representatives, chambers of commerce, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and development partners to assess implementation progress and chart the path forward.
Discussions will focus on how African businesses can expand beyond domestic borders, reduce dependence on external markets and build stronger regional value chains. The meeting will also examine customs reforms, trade facilitation, market access and private sector participation through peer learning among countries that have already advanced their national AfCFTA strategies.
The push for accelerated implementation comes as African economies navigate rising global uncertainties, including supply chain disruptions tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions and external economic shocks. Analysts say sectors such as agro-processing, logistics, financial services and digital trade stand to gain considerably if barriers to regional commerce are lowered.
The AfCFTA, which began trading in 2021, is one of the world’s largest free trade areas by membership, uniting 54 African countries into a single market. Beyond trade expansion, the agreement is expected to drive industrial growth and job creation, particularly for women and young people who form a large share of Africa’s informal and SME sectors.
