Today, Tuesday 18th February 2025, was the official opening session of the Africa Trade Capacity Symposium, bringing together key leaders to discuss Africa’s trade future, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the critical role of capacity building in achieving the continent’s economic transformation.
Distinguished Speakers & Guests in the official opening session;
- Mr Simon Masanga – Board Chairperson, ESAMI & Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Labour & Social Welfare, Zimbabwe
- Mr. Tages Mulugeta Degu – Director, Regional Integration, Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration, Ethiopia
- H.E. Amb. Hans Henric Lundquist – Swedish Ambassador to Ethiopia & Djibouti, Permanent Representative to AU, IGAD & UNECA
- Dr. Peter Kiuluku – Director General, ESAMI
- Prof. Melaku Desta – Coordinator, African Trade Policy Centre, UNECA
- Dr. Joy Kategekwa – Director, Regional Coordination Office, AfDB
- Dr. Tsotetsi Makong – Director, Coordination & Programmes, AfCFTA (Keynote Speaker)
The Key Message of the speakers was how their organisations were contributing to the enhanced implementation of the AfCFTA, Africa’s most ambitious trade integration initiative, creating a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion. 
AfCFTA has unprecedented opportunities for intra-African trade, industrialisation, and economic diversification that will be realised if the capacity gaps are closed.
Agriculture & Food Processing and regional value chains
Industrial Growth – Enhancing Africa’s manufacturing and export competitiveness
Services Trade Expansion – Boosting transportation, tourism, and digital trade
Stronger Global Market Presence – Positioning Africa as a trade powerhouse
Capacity Building & Prioritizing Trade-Related Skills
To fully harness the benefits of AfCFTA, capacity-building efforts must be strategic, targeted, coordinated and sustained. There is a need to prioritise institutional and administrative strengthening, policy development, and trade facilitation through:
- Technical & Legal Expertise – Training trade negotiators, policymakers, and legal experts on AfCFTA’s provisions and implementation strategies.
- Trade Facilitation & Customs Efficiency – Enhancing customs procedures, coordinated border management, and digital trade facilitation for smoother cross-border trade.
- SME & Private Sector Support – Equipping African entrepreneurs and businesses with knowledge on leveraging AfCFTA opportunities.
- Infrastructure & Digital Trade Capacity – Strengthening e-commerce frameworks, logistics, and digital trade policies to support Africa’s digital transformation.
- Harmonization of Standards & Regulations – Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and ensuring uniform Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures for cross-border trade.
The Role of Partnerships in Building Trade Capacity
ESAMI-trapca, in collaboration Lund University, Sida and ESAMI, and other strategic partners, has played a pivotal role in building the African capacity of those spearheading trade and regional integration at national, regional, continental and Multilateral levels. Furthermore, collaboration with development partners has strengthened Africa’s trade-related knowledge, empowering trade negotiators, policymakers, and the private sector.
The road ahead is clear: Partnerships, Collaboration, Capacity Building & Action! Let’s work together to make AfCFTA a success.
Do you want to be part of this ongoing insightful discussion?
Register now: https://cutt.ly/Te34lOAF
