The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and the International Trade Centre have renewed their strategic partnership in a move aimed at driving practical, business-led trade across Africa under the AfCFTA framework.
The renewed memorandum of understanding was signed on May 18 on the sidelines of Biashara Afrika 2026, a major continental platform that brings together policymakers, investors, business leaders, financiers, and trade partners to deepen intra-African trade and investment cooperation.
The new agreement marks a significant shift from negotiations and policy formulation toward full-scale implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with a strong focus on creating opportunities for African businesses to trade more efficiently across borders.
Officials say the partnership is expected to strengthen trade facilitation systems, improve the business environment, and support private sector participation within Africa’s expanding single market.
The collaboration also reflects growing urgency among African institutions to translate the promises of the AfCFTA into measurable economic outcomes through practical interventions that support regional value chains, market access, and commercial activity across the continent.
Discussions at Biashara Afrika 2026 centered on accelerating economic integration and removing barriers that continue to hinder intra-African trade despite the operationalization of the AfCFTA.
The renewed cooperation between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the ITC is expected to support enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, with the tools and frameworks needed to benefit from continental trade opportunities.
Stakeholders at the forum described the agreement as a major step toward building a more connected and competitive African market driven by private sector growth and cross-border commerce.
