Davos 2026: AfCFTA shifts focus to delivery as digital trade implementation advances

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has signalled a decisive shift from vision to delivery as the Agreement enters its full implementation phase, following discussions at the Friends of the AfCFTA Breakfast Meeting held on the margins of the World Economic Forum.

Addressing participants, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA, H.E. Wamkele Mene, outlined the next steps for Africa’s digital future, noting that the AfCFTA’s legal architecture is now complete. He disclosed that 50 of the 55 African Union Member States have ratified the Agreement, with all AfCFTA Protocols concluded.

H.E. Mene highlighted the adoption of the Protocol on Digital Trade as a major milestone, marking the transition from rule-making to practical implementation. He stressed that successful implementation will depend on enabling cross-border data flows, ensuring interoperable digital payment systems, and establishing trusted data protection frameworks. Continued progress on payments, he noted, remains a critical enabler for scaling intra-African trade.

He further pointed to the growing potential of Africa’s digital economy, which is projected to reach approximately USD 720 billion by 2050. While describing this as a significant opportunity, particularly for Africa’s youthful population, H.E. Mene cautioned that the potential must be matched with job creation, skills development and improved access, warning that failure to do so could turn the youth dividend into a liability.

Within this context, the AfCFTA Secretary-General highlighted the launch of the ADAPT project in 2025, a joint initiative involving the AfCFTA Secretariat, the World Economic Forum, the Tony Blair Institute and IOTA. The project is designed to support delivery and accelerate Africa’s digital trade readiness.

H.E. Mene underscored the importance of sustained private sector engagement across sectors such as agritech and healthtech, alongside continued collaboration with partners, including Google, to support young people and drive inclusive growth under the AfCFTA framework.