African Union Committee of Heads of State and Government on AfCFTA Implementation Inaugurated in Accra
The African Union’s Committee of Heads of State and Government on the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was inaugurated today, marking a significant milestone in the continent’s quest for economic integration and growth. The Committee, established during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, is expected to provide strategic political leadership aimed at accelerating the transition from negotiations to full implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.
The establishment of the Committee reflects a strong and sustained political will at the highest continental level, recognizing the necessity of operationalizing the transformative potential of the AfCFTA Agreement. Since the Agreement entered the operational phase in 2019, notable progress has been made, including the conclusion of negotiations on key legal instruments, the successful launch of the Guided Trade Initiative, and the establishment of institutional mechanisms to support the Agreement’s implementation.
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA, welcomed the establishment of the Committee, underscoring the importance of sustained leadership and the timeliness of its operationalization. “The AfCFTA offers Africa the only bankable opportunity to activate the continent-wide market, boost industrial capacity, and reduce external vulnerabilities, turning a strategic challenge into a path for growth,” he emphasized.
The Committee, chaired by H.E. President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, comprises the Heads of State and Government of Kenya, Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. In his remarks, President Ruto highlighted the need for continuous engagement and high-level guidance to ensure the AfCFTA delivers on its promises. “Business as usual does not deliver the results we seek,” he stressed.
The Committee’s inaugural meeting welcomed the report of the AfCFTA Champion, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, former President of Niger, and acknowledged his contributions in leading the Agreement’s steady transition from negotiations to full-scale implementation. The Committee also underscored the imperative of a deeper engagement with African Development Finance Institutions.
The AfCFTA brings together the Member States of the African Union (AU) into a single, liberalized market for goods, services, and investment, making it the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries. As the continent looks to accelerate its economic growth and development, the successful implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
The Committee’s work will focus on monitoring progress across all five regions of the continent and sustaining political support to translate the AfCFTA legal framework into measurable trade and investment outcomes that benefit African citizens and businesses. With the support of the Committee, Africa is poised to unlock its full potential and become a major player in the global economy.
