The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in its latest empirical assessment, projected that reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers within the continent, as outlined in the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) modalities, could accelerate intra-African trade by 45 per cent by 2045 by unlocking new economic opportunities.
It also noted that a scenario without AfCFTA would rob Africa of a reliable platform to drive regional integration and industrial growth.
Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme Support) at the ECA, Antonio Pedro made the remarks recently at the 2025 57th session of Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development -Committee of Experts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It was themed: “Advancing the implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area: proposing transformative strategic actions.”
Pedro noted that the AfCFTA serves both as a development blueprint and a powerful political platform, where majority of the anticipated gains are expected in the agrifood and industrial sectors, creating unprecedented opportunities for Africa’s industrialisation, food security and product complementarity.
