AfCFTA: Massive Call to Private Sector to Seize Continental Opportunities

Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), issued a strong call to the private sector on June 12, 2026, urging businesses to capitalize on the numerous opportunities presented by member states. Speaking at a CEPEX event, Mene emphasized that these opportunities span strategic industries including pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and aeronautics, offering vast potential for investment, partnership, and cooperation.

Mene highlighted that these ventures not only foster intra-African collaboration but also enhance the access of African enterprises to European and Asian markets. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between AfCFTA, Tunisia, and other African nations in implementing the agreement, particularly concerning exports, imports, and the certification of origin. Mene acknowledged Tunisia's significant contribution to building an economically unified Africa capable of engaging with global markets.

The Secretary-General also pointed to available financing and partnership mechanisms, specifically mentioning collaborations with Africa50 and Afreximbank, as well as support systems for businesses within member states. He commended Tunisia's progress, citing the successful implementation of an electronic platform for certificate of origin dematerialization, which has facilitated over 370 export operations under AfCFTA benefits. This achievement, he noted, opens avenues for trade expansion within AfCFTA and COMESA, as well as opportunities for importing raw materials.

Finally, Mene praised the expertise of Tunisian professionals within the AfCFTA secretariat. He reaffirmed the commitment to deepening cooperation with Tunisia in developing skills and capabilities to effectively address the challenges related to trade and investment among African countries.

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Salant les avancées de la Tunisie, il a cité la mise en place d’une plateforme électronique de dématérialisation des certificats d’origine, qui a permis plus de 370 opérations d’exportation bénéficiant des avantages de la ZLECAf.