The president of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé, urged African nations and economic stakeholders to move beyond declarations and accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation during his opening address at the third edition of the Biashara Afrika forum in Lomé. The event, focused on intra-African trade and investment, brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and partners from across the continent.

Addressing the gathering, the Togolese leader emphasized the urgency of translating political commitments into tangible outcomes for African citizens. « The era of vision must evolve into an era of results, » he declared, underscoring the need for decisive action in economic development and regional integration.

The Biashara Afrika forum, co-organized by the Togolese government and the AfCFTA Secretariat, serves as a pivotal platform to foster cross-border economic cooperation and strengthen regional value chains. Gnassingbé highlighted Africa’s growing potential, citing the continent’s expansive market, abundant strategic resources, a youthful workforce, and the unified legal framework provided by the AfCFTA.

To unlock this potential, he stressed the importance of effective public policies, strategic investments, and streamlined trade facilitation. The Togolese president also positioned Togo as a model of ongoing economic integration, citing the nation’s robust logistics infrastructure—particularly the deep-water port of Lomé—and reforms aimed at enhancing the business environment and attracting foreign direct investment.

However, significant hurdles persist. Non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps, financing challenges, and the limited involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in cross-border trade continue to impede the continent’s economic cohesion.

The Biashara Afrika 2026 initiative aims to address these gaps by fostering partnerships, mobilizing investments, and devising practical solutions to harness Africa’s economic promise into inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent.