Biashara Afrika 2026: AfCFTA Signs Landmark Deals to Boost Trade, Logistics and Finance

By Pa Modou Cham

During the second day of the ongoing Biashara Afrika Conference in Lomé, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening intra-African trade, strengthening financial inclusion, and enhancing strategic business partnerships across the continent.

The agreements were signed on behalf of the AfCFTA Secretariat with Africa Global Logistics (AGL), Ecobank, and Conversation with Afric during the high-level continental trade gathering currently underway in Lomé.

The MoUs are expected to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by improving trade logistics, facilitating access to finance for African businesses, and promoting stronger engagement between public and private sector actors.

The partnership with AGL is expected to focus on transport, logistics corridors, and trade facilitation infrastructure, while the agreement with Ecobank aims to boost trade finance and financial solutions for African enterprises, especially SMEs operating across borders. The collaboration with Conversation with Afric seeks to strengthen dialogue, visibility, and strategic engagement around Africa’s trade and development agenda.

The signings come as African leaders, policymakers, investors, and business executives continue discussions on accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA and unlocking opportunities within Africa’s single market of over 1.3 billion people.