The Second Edition Of The AfCFTA Biashara Afrika (Business Forum) Set To Take Place In Kigali, Rwanda

After successfully hosting the inaugural AfCFTA Business Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, the AfCFTA Secretariat embarks on the 2nd edition: Biashara Afrika 2024. This flagship event, is taking place at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), in Kigali, Rwanda, co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda, under the patronage of H.E. Paul Kagame.

Under the theme “Dare to Invent the future of the AfCFTA”, the Forum this year, intends to further engage the private sector to trade under the AfCFTA. In this crucial year of implementation, as all Protocols of the Agreement have been concluded, it is essential to accelerate all efforts into ensuring an effective implementation process, driven by Member States, to empower the private sector to fully participate in the AfCFTA. Furthermore, Biashara 2024 will feature the second edition of the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), whereby over 30 participating state parties, from all 5 regions, including the islands, will showcase products from their various countries.

The Initiative intends to achieve its goal by matchmaking businesses and products for export and import between interested State Parties in collaboration with their national AfCFTA implementation committees. The GTI serves as a gateway to encourage continued trade under the AfCFTA to foster increased opportunities for SMES, youth, and women in trade, and ultimately establishing sustainable and inclusive economic development fueled by increased intra-Africa trade.

In this context, the event aims to attract broad participation of Africa’s private sector, strategic investors, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, business councils, chambers of commerce, multinational corporations, African women and youth business organisations, as well as Heads of States and Government, and the AfCFTA Partners.

The AfCFTA Secretary-General, His Excellency Wamkele Mene has invited Africa’s business community to attend and contribute to the transformation of trade through the Agreement.

Articulating the objectives of the Biashara Forum, H.E. Mene said, “The role of the Private sector is critical: it is the private sector that trades, creates jobs and innovates. Therefore, I encourage everyone to fully leverage the AfCFTA Biashara Afrika to engage in productive dialogues, share experiences, collaborate, and develop innovative strategies to drive Africa’s economic transformation for the benefit of all our citizens.”

He continued that, “We can only achieve our goals of boosting intra-African trade, elevating Africa’s position in the global market, and accelerating economic growth, industrialisation, production, and job creation with the full engagement of the business community. “added Mene.

Hon. Prudence Sebahizi, Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry expressed “Rwanda is delighted to host the second edition of Biashara Afrika in Kigali. This Forum presents an unparalleled opportunity for decision-makers, public and private sector leaders, and partners to engage, collaborate, and innovate in ways that will shape the future of intra-Africa trade. Rwanda remains committed to being a catalyst for trade, innovation, and sustainable growth. We are excited to host this transformative event, where, together, we will explore new pathways to achieve the AfCFTA’s vision of creating a single African market.”

He added that “Rwanda’s commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Size Enterprises, as well as Women and Youth, remains a central priority as these groups are vital to our economic future, thus their full participation is crucial for driving innovation and growth to contribute to our shared prosperity”.

The AfCFTA Biashara Afrika seeks to foster an engaging and dynamic platform for continued dialogue between African public and private sectors, multinationals and key stakeholders regarding the challenges and opportunities in “Creating One African Market”.
While the conference will cover various pertinent trade issues, it will put a spotlight on the following sectors: automotive, agriculture and agri-processing, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals, digital trade, women and youth in trade among others.

Critical themes and topics that will be highlighted at the Biashara Afrika 2024 include:
• The AfCFTA is a reality – Daring Intra Africa Trade
• African champions unlocking intra Africa trade
• Customs operations for businesses under the AfCFTA
• Solving the trade finance conundrum for increased Intra Africa Trade
• HerAfCFTA
• Promoting investments in the automotive value chains in the AfCFTA Framework
• Enabling African Businesses to Succeed Under AfCFTA: The Vital Role of Business Support Organizations
• Leveraging Trading Companies and Strategic Partnerships for Intra-African Trade
• Building a conducive investment climate under the AfCFTA AfCFTA
• AfCFTA in support of sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa
• Catalyzing Youth and Women’s Entrepreneurship in the AfCFTA through Digital Trade

Members of the media that are interested and will be able to participate in the Biashara Afrika 2024 and Media briefing are requested to register in order to receive media accreditation using the following link: https://events.au-afcfta.org/activate-account . No person will be allowed to attend if they have not registered. In addition, we request those who wish to request for interviews, to send email to: afcftacommunications@au-afcfta.org or to enshimiyimana@minicom.gov.rw.

–ENDS –
About the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and entered into force on 30 May 2019. It is a high ambition trade agreement, which aims to bring together all 55 Member States of the African Union, covering a market of more than 1.3 billion people, with a comprehensive scope that includes critical areas of Africa’s economy, such as digital trade and investment protection, amongst other areas. By eliminating barriers to trade in Africa, the objective of the AfCFTA is to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and trade across all services sectors of Africa’s economy, at a potential of 52.3 percent.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Grace Khoza, Principal Communications Advisor | African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat | E-mail: Grace.Khoza@au-afcfta.org | Accra, Ghana

Ms. Elydora Matubanzila, Communications Officer | African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat| E-mail: Elydora.Matubanzila@au-afcfta.org | Accra, Ghana

Communication | Marketing | Advocacy Division, African Continental Free Trade Area |
E-mail: afcftacommunications@au-afcfta.org

Mr. Emmanuel NSHIMIYIMANA, Public Relations and Communication Specialist
Ministry of Trade and Industry
E-mail: enshimiyimana@minicom.gov.rw

To find out more, please visit our website: https://au-afcfta.org
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