AfCFTA Accelerates Rollout
Continental: AfCFTA (Morocco)
African trade leaders push for faster AfCFTA rollout.
Important Topics
AfCFTA Accelerates Rollout
On 12 January 2026, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat concluded the second edition of its Business Forum in Marrakesh with a renewed call for rapid implementation of the trade agreement amid rising global tariffs. The AfCFTA is the world’s largest free‑trade area by number of participating countries, bringing together all 55 African Union member states into a single market. Its aim is to remove trade barriers within Africa.
High‑level engagements highlighted progress on Rules of Origin for the textile and automotive sectors and advanced discussions on establishing a Continental IP Rights Office.
Brand owners and businesses trading across African markets may see smoother intra‑continental trade as the AfCFTA framework continues to mature.
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