In a bold and unfiltered address, the Chair of the Council delivered a powerful message at the opening of Biashara Afrika’s third edition in Lomé on Monday, May 18, 2026. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé urged African leaders to move beyond political ambitions and embrace tangible economic actions that could drive sustainable growth and deeper continental integration.

The Togolese capital is rapidly emerging as the epicenter of pragmatic African commerce. On this Monday, Lomé hosted policymakers from across the continent for the third edition of Biashara Afrika. Organized jointly by the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Togolese government, this high-level forum dedicated to intra-African trade and investment kicked off with a clear mission: to turn ambition into action.

Lomé leads by example in the AfCFTA experiment

Rather than dwelling on theoretical frameworks, the Togolese leader outlined his country’s strategic roadmap as a living model for continental integration. Togo, strategically positioned in the region, is leveraging its infrastructure to become a key player in the AfCFTA framework:

• Enhanced regional connectivity to streamline trade corridors.
• A top-tier logistics hub, anchored by its deep-water port—a rarity in West Africa.
• Bold structural reforms consistently praised for improving the business climate.

Through this approach, Lomé aims to demonstrate that economic integration can yield immediate dividends when political will aligns with the needs of businesses.

AfCFTA’s colossal potential—and the hurdles ahead

The AfCFTA represents a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for Africa. The figures speak for themselves:

AfCFTA in numbers

• 55 member states across the continent.
• A consumer base of 1.4 billion people.
• A combined GDP estimated at $3.4 trillion.

Yet this promising vision faces real-world obstacles. Biashara Afrika’s participants identified critical bottlenecks stifling intra-African trade, including the removal of non-tariff barriers, addressing chronic infrastructure gaps, and easing access to financing. The forum also emphasized the need to restructure fragmented value chains and urgently integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often remain sidelined in cross-border trade.

From promises to tangible progress: the AfCFTA’s moment of truth

« We must shift from intentions to measurable outcomes, » declared a Kenyan entrepreneur at the forum, echoing Gnassingbé’s call for action. A Nigerian economist added, « The AfCFTA will only gain credibility if SMEs become central to this single market. » These perspectives reflect the urgent demand from economic actors for rapid, inclusive implementation.

Beyond technical discussions, Biashara Afrika reflects a broader geopolitical shift: Africa’s ambition to assert itself in global trade. The AfCFTA is seen as a strategic response to globalization challenges and international trade tensions.

The message from Lomé is unequivocal: Africa now possesses the legal frameworks, natural resources, and human capital needed to succeed. The AfCFTA’s future hinges not on conceptualizing progress but on executing it—without delay.