Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and People behind the AfCFTA: Issue 8

12 Mar 2026
Issue 8
12 Mar 2026

February 2026 marked an important turning point for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as African leaders and policymakers shifted focus from negotiating frameworks toward accelerating implementation.

Discussions during the month highlighted efforts to operationalise the agreement through institutional coordination, digital trade initiatives, sectoral rules and stronger private sector engagement. The 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly, held in mid-February, placed significant emphasis on advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA as a driver of intra-African trade, industrial development and value addition across the continent. African leaders reiterated that the agreement remains central to the continent’s strategy for economic transformation and regional integration. A key outcome of the summit was the establishment of a High-Level Implementation Committee, chaired by Kenya’s President William Ruto. The committee is expected to oversee the rapid and coordinated rollout of the AfCFTA, ensuring that member states translate commitments into concrete trade and investment outcomes.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Because integration matters.

Trade Talks Africa | Editor-in-chief
Dr Noncedo Vutula

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The African Union Ministers of Trade meet in Maputo to prepare for the WTO Ministerial Meeting

African ministers responsible for trade met in Maputo, Mozambique, on 25–26 February 2026 under the framework of the African Union (AU) to coordinate the continent’s position ahead of the Fourteenth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14) scheduled for March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The meeting in Maputo provided a critical platform for African countries to align national and regional strategies and strengthen a unified African voice in the multilateral trading system. Ministers reaffirmed that agriculture, food security and development remain central priorities for Africa in the ongoing WTO negotiations. The meeting also underscored the importance of preserving and strengthening Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) and safeguarding policy space for industrialisation, digital transformation and economic diversification. Ministers stressed the need to maintain the WTO’s consensus-based decision-making process, expressing concern over attempts to integrate plurilateral agreements without full multilateral approval. The Maputo discussions further highlighted the importance of ensuring coherence between AfCFTA implementation, national development strategies and Africa’s engagement at the WTO, enabling African countries to approach MC14 with a coordinated and development-focused agenda.

Automotive Rules of Origin Approved

The African Union Heads of State approved Rules of Origin (RoO) for the automotive sector, establishing a 40% local content requirement for vehicles produced within the AfCFTA framework. The decision is viewed as a major milestone toward the development of a continental automotive value chain, which could support industrialisation and encourage investment in vehicle manufacturing across African economies. The adoption of the rules is expected to support the growth of regional supply chains while reducing dependence on imports from outside the continent.

Digital Platforms to Support Cross-Border Trade: Advancing cross-border trade featured prominently through the introduction of new digital trade initiatives. Kenya launched two digital platforms namely BiasharaLink and Deal House designed to support African businesses in identifying trade opportunities and concluding cross-border transactions. The platforms aim to transform African embassies into active deal rooms that help facilitate commercial partnerships and investment opportunities between African firms. The initiative reflects growing recognition that digital tools will play a crucial role in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the AfCFTA.

Supporting Businesses to Use the AfCFTA

Addressing information barriers remains a priority for policymakers. In February, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) launched step-by-step trading guides in Nairobi to assist businesses in navigating the technical requirements of trading under the AfCFTA. The guides are designed to help firms understand customs procedures, rules of origin requirements and regulatory compliance, which remain significant challenges for many companies seeking to take advantage of the agreement. Experts participating in the Nairobi discussions emphasized that the AfCFTA will only achieve its intended economic impact if the private sector actively uses the preferences and market access opportunities created by the agreement.

Emphasis on Inclusive Trade

Inclusivity also featured prominently in the AfCFTA-related discussions during the month. The Women Prosperity Dialogue, held during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 in Accra, focused on ensuring that women and youth can benefit from continental trade opportunities. Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening digital skills, entrepreneurship support, and access to finance to ensure that women-led businesses and young entrepreneurs are able to participate effectively in AfCFTA markets.

From Policy Frameworks to Bankable Projects

Another notable shift in February was the AfCFTA Secretariat’s growing emphasis on moving from policy design toward investment-ready projects. At the AU Summit, the Secretariat highlighted plans to develop bankable projects, particularly in green industrialisation, aimed at mobilising financing and accelerating industrial development across the continent. Such projects are expected to align trade integration with Africa’s broader objectives of sustainable development and climate resilience.

Digital Trade Protocol Still Awaiting Ratification

Despite progress in several areas, the ratification of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol remains incomplete. Discussions in February highlighted that 22 countries are yet to sign the protocol, which is considered critical for advancing digital trade across Africa. The protocol is expected to establish common rules governing areas such as digital payments, data flows and e-commerce, which are increasingly important for facilitating cross-border trade.

A Critical Phase for Continental Trade Integration

Developments in February 2026 indicate that the AfCFTA is entering a decisive implementation phase, with increasing attention shifting from policy frameworks to practical delivery. As institutional mechanisms are strengthened, sector-specific rules advance and digital trade initiatives expand, African policymakers are placing greater emphasis on translating the agreement into tangible economic activity and increased intra-African trade. However, realising the full potential of the AfCFTA will require sustained political commitment, stronger private sector participation and improved regulatory coordination across the continent.

Upcoming Events

  • Book Launch: On Thursday, 26 March 2026, the School will host a book launch featuring the “Democracy on a Tight Rope: Politics and Bureaucracy in Brazil.” The launch will provide an opportunity for scholars and practitioners to reflect on governance, political institutions and the relationship between politics and public administration in comparative perspective.

  • Webinar on WTO Reform: The Nelson Mandela School will host a webinar on WTO Reform on Thursday, 9 April 2026, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss current debates around the reform of the multilateral trading system and its implications for developing countries, particularly in Africa.
     
  • Brown Bag Series - AfCFTA Protocols in Practice: From Legal Instruments to Local Impact starts on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, for more information email tebogo.lefifi@uct.ac.za and noncedo.vutula@uct.ac.za

Learning Opportunities

  1. The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and Sciences Po Executive Education will be offering an executive education programme, Africa-Europe Cooperation for the Green Transition. The fully online course is designed to equip practitioners from the continent and around the globe to shape African European developmental cooperation and promote Africa’s green structural transformation.

    Core thematic focus areas engaged include:
    • Just energy transitions and renewable energy in Africa
    • Green industrialisation in Africa
    • Regional integration and supply chains
    • Critical mineral supply and renewable technologies
    • Technological innovation for climate-resilient development

    Participants will learn from leading faculty from the Nelson Mandela School and Sciences Po, as well as pioneering academics and practitioners from across the African continent and emerge with deepened connections in a diverse network advancing Afro-European cooperation for Africa’s green future.

    You can download the brochure for an overview of the course and the programme outline. For more details, please visit the website. Complete your application through this link.
    Course dates: The course is 12 weeks long and will begin in September 2026. Applications close in mid-June.
    Tuition fees: R82 300 (South African Rand)
    - Feel free to email hannah.diaz@uct.ac.za to express your interest in attending.

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