Secretary General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene has praised the outcomes of Biashara Africa 2026, describing the summit as a major success marked by strong private-sector participation, new strategic partnerships, and renewed momentum for African economic integration.
Speaking to journalists after the close of the forum, Mene said the event resulted in the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Mene, the agreements brought together large and small corporations from across Africa and beyond, reflecting growing international confidence in Africa’s trade and investment agenda.
“The partnerships that have been developed and the MOUs that were signed are intended to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he said.
The summit also drew significant participation from global and African business organizations, including the International Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, its Africa Council, and the African Chamber of Commerce.
Mene described the level of private-sector engagement as “remarkable,” emphasizing that collaboration between governments and businesses would be essential to achieving the goals of the AfCFTA.
Development finance institutions also played a prominent role at the gathering. Mene highlighted contributions from the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, and Africa50, which shared ongoing initiatives supporting continental trade and infrastructure development.
While organizers did not immediately release figures on investment deals or transactions concluded during the summit, Mene said record attendance, business partnerships, and commercial engagements were clear indicators of success.
One of the most notable announcements from the event was a visa-free entry policy for Africans visiting the host country, unveiled by the President of the Council of Ministers.
Mene welcomed the move, saying it reflected the broader push for the free movement of people across the continent — a key issue repeatedly emphasized during the two-and-a-half-day summit.
“This is precisely the spirit and the action that we wanted to see,” Mene said, adding that the decision demonstrated leadership by example in advancing African integration.
Biashara Africa 2026 brought together government officials, business leaders, trade institutions, and investors from across Africa and abroad to discuss strategies for boosting intra-African trade, investment, and regional cooperation under the AfCFTA framework.
