Africa Rallies Behind AfCFTA as Leaders Push Vision of a Stronger Continental Economy

LOMÉ, Togo- 18 May 2026- President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé on Monday presided over the opening of the 3rd edition of the Biashara Afrika Forum in Lomé, as African leaders, ministers and business executives rallied behind a renewed push to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning it as the continent’s central instrument for industrialisation, integration and economic sovereignty.

The President emphasized that Africa’s integration agenda has moved beyond political aspiration into practical economic necessity, urging stakeholders to translate commitments into action across trade, investment and production systems. His remarks framed the forum as a platform for accelerating implementation of continental trade reforms at a time of global economic uncertainty.

Following the opening, Honourable Badanam Patoki, Minister of Economy and Strategic Monitoring of the Togolese Republic, reinforced the government’s commitment to making Togo a competitive industrial and logistics hub within the AfCFTA framework.

Patoki described Biashara Afrika as “a forum dedicated to trade and investment,” designed to strengthen dialogue between governments, the private sector and multinational corporations in support of continental trade expansion.

“Africa’s economic transformation depends on stimulating intra-African trade and development,” he said, highlighting progress made under AfCFTA instruments such as the electronic tariff book, the rules of origin manual and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

He also underscored national priorities including infrastructure expansion, industrial processing capacity, and support for youth and women-led enterprises.

“Emphasis is also placed on an economic policy focused on the integration of very small and small businesses, supporting youth and young women’s entrepreneurship, developing the private sector, and strengthening the economic fabric,” Patoki added.