AfCFTA Boosts EU–Africa Trade Ties
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Africa and Europe are intensifying engagement to translate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from a policy framework into measurable commercial outcomes, as early indicators point to rising intra-African trade and expanding market access across the continent.
This renewed push was highlighted during a meeting between the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, and Catarina Vieira, a Member of the European Parliament, at the Secretariat’s headquarters. The discussions focused on strengthening EU–Africa trade cooperation and enhancing parliamentary collaboration to support the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.
The engagement reflects a shared commitment by both sides to a rules-based multilateral trading system and to accelerating the execution phase of the AfCFTA, following the completion of its core legal architecture. With the foundational framework now largely in place, attention is shifting decisively toward delivery, implementation, and tangible commercial uptake.
Key milestones have already been achieved. Protocols covering digital trade, women and youth in trade, as well as annexes to the intellectual property rights protocol, have been concluded. These additions are intended to modernise Africa’s trade regime, broaden participation, and ensure that the benefits of integration extend beyond traditional goods trade into emerging and inclusive sectors of the economy.
Early data suggest that the agreement is beginning to yield results. According to AfCFTA figures, intra-African trade reached approximately US$220 billion in 2023, signalling steady growth in commerce among African economies. In addition, more than 12,000 certificates of origin have been issued under the AfCFTA framework, enabling businesses to benefit from preferential trading terms and reduced barriers across borders.
Further evidence of growing regional integration is reflected in Nigeria’s trade patterns, with Africa emerging as the country’s largest export destination in 2024. This development underscores the increasing importance of regional markets in diversifying exports and reducing reliance on external demand.
The AfCFTA, which brings together 54 African countries into a single market of over 1.4 billion people, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Africa’s industrialisation, economic integration, and long-term development strategy. By creating a unified market, the agreement aims to boost manufacturing, strengthen regional value chains, and enhance Africa’s competitiveness in global trade.
Support from external partners, particularly the European Union, is seen as critical to achieving these objectives. Areas of cooperation include regulatory alignment, trade facilitation, customs modernisation, digital infrastructure, and capacity building for institutions and businesses. Deeper EU–Africa cooperation could also help sustain political backing for reforms required to lower trade barriers and harmonise standards across the continent.
Stakeholders say stronger collaboration will be essential to expanding participation by small and medium-sized enterprises and ensuring that the gains from the AfCFTA are more broadly shared across economies, regions, and demographics.
As implementation gathers momentum, the focus is increasingly on scaling up trade flows, strengthening regional and continental value chains, and embedding the AfCFTA as a central driver of inclusive growth within Africa’s estimated US$3 trillion economy.
