Thanks Naomi for sharing this reflection. I find it powerful how often the AfCFTA is described using words like “the next logical progression,” “landmark,” “milestone,” “ambitious,” “comprehensive agreement,” and even “game changer.” These phrases really capture just how transformative this agreement is in driving intra-African trade.
Reading through UNECA’s Economic Report on Africa (2025), I was struck by the scale of its potential impact: accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA could raise Africa’s GDP by US$141 billion and boost intra-African trade by US$276 billion. With the backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics and new tariffs from the US, the urgency for Africa to fast-track its integration and open up alternative markets could not be clearer. This raises an important question I’ve been reflecting on: should Africa stop at creating a Continental Free Trade Area, or should we already start charting the path towards a Customs Union and eventually a Common Market?
I am particularly excited about the launch of the 11th edition of the Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA XI): “Delivering on the African Economic Community: Towards an African Continental Customs Union and African Continental Common Market.” To me, this theme signals the natural progression for the Continent after AfCFTA implementation. As a Fellow in Tech, this excites me even more because I see how technology can accelerate this vision whether through digital trade platforms, interoperable payment systems, e-customs solutions, or AI-driven data analytics to support trade policy. The digital dimension of integration will be critical in turning these ambitious frameworks into practical realities that reach businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities across Africa.
