AfCFTA Secretary-General calls for coordinated action to harness Africa’s $712bn digital economy
Date: 2025-12-12
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, has highlighted the continent’s expanding
digital economy—valued at an estimated $712 billion—as a critical opportunity
to boost trade efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. According to him leveraging
this potential will require coordinated policies and strong commitment from
governments and the private sector.
Speaking
at the opening of the 2nd AfCFTA Business Forum in Marrakech, Morocco, H.E Mene
called for stronger collaboration and renewed determination to make the AfCFTA
deliver tangible benefits for Africa’s private sector. He underscored the
urgency of accelerating implementation amid shifting global trade dynamics,
stressing the need to eliminate intra-African trade barriers and modernize
customs systems.
The
Secretary-General also emphasized the importance of liberalizing the movement
of persons and services to support the creation of a seamless continental
market. He noted that meaningful progress depends on collective action and
sustained engagement from all stakeholders.
The
forum brought together policymakers, business leaders, and development partners
to assess progress and outline practical strategies toward a fully integrated
African trading bloc.
