AfCFTA Chief Urges Africa to Break Free from Trade Underperformance at IATF 2025 Roadshow
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has issued a stark warning about Africa’s stagnant position in global trade, calling for urgent reforms to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Speaking during the IATF 2025 Roadshow held in Accra on Tuesday, Mene described Africa’s trade performance as “unacceptable” and urged collective action to reverse the trend.
“Africa’s share of world trade has stagnated at just around 3%. This cannot continue,” Mene stated. “We must bring this trade crisis to an end.”
Mene emphasized that intra-African trade remains critically low at approximately 15%, compared to Europe’s 70%, Asia’s 60%, and North America’s 40%. He acknowledged that these figures may be overestimated due to informal trade and inconsistent data, calling for honest reflection and deeper reforms.
He pointed to the AfCFTA’s ambitious agenda to remove trade barriers, reduce tariffs, and promote industrialisation across the continent. “The AfCFTA is fundamentally changing this paradigm,” he said. “We are creating space for African businesses to grow.”
The Secretary-General condemned Africa’s historical reliance on exporting raw materials, only to re-import processed goods. “That has to stop,” he asserted. “We are now building regional value chains that allow us to process and add value here at home.”
Key sectors identified for transformation include agro-processing, energy, mining, and manufacturing. Mene said investments in these areas would promote job creation, improve food security, and reduce post-harvest losses.
“Transportation costs are killing trade. We must fix that,” Mene added, underscoring the need for standardised customs processes and regional infrastructure investments.
He also highlighted the crucial role of public-private partnerships and financial institutions like Afreximbank in supporting the AfCFTA’s implementation.
Looking ahead to the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, scheduled for Algeria, Mene described the event as a turning point. “IATF2025 is where this vision becomes reality,” he said. “It’s where partnerships are forged, deals signed, and investment mobilised.”
He urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs and businesses to fully engage with the IATF platform. “This roadshow is for you,” he said. “Whether you are looking to exhibit, invest, or source, IATF2025 is your gateway to Africa’s new trade era.”
Mene concluded with a powerful call to action: “Let us work together to make IATF 2025 the most successful edition yet. The future of African trade is unfolding, and it is happening now.”
