Nqobile Bhebhe
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the AfCFTA Secretariat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The partnership aims to accelerate AfCFTA’s operationalisation by leveraging ECA’s expertise in trade policy, economic modeling, and capacity building.
The AfCFTA agreement, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, seeks to eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of goods traded among member states over ten years.
Signed by 54 African Heads of State, the agreement aims to create a single African market of 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3.4 trillion.
Once fully implemented, AfCFTA will be the world’s largest new free trade area since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1994.
ECA, comprising 54 member states, serves as both a regional arm of the United Nations and a key institution in Africa’s economic landscape.
It focuses on promoting economic and social development, fostering intraregional integration, and strengthening international cooperation for Africa’s growth.
The MoU establishes a framework for ECA and the AfCFTA Secretariat to collaborate in several critical areas:
Market access and trade facilitation – supporting the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, industrialisation and economic linkages and promoting deeper economic connections across African economies.
The agreement was signed during the recent Africa Business Forum (ABF 2025) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement on Monday, ECA described the MoU as a landmark step toward advancing trade integration, industrialisation, and private sector development across the continent.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete emphasised the importance of strong institutional partnerships.
“The implementation of AfCFTA is a transformative opportunity for Africa, but its success depends on strong institutional partnerships. This MoU solidifies our commitment to working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to drive trade integration, enhance market access, and support Africa’s economic development.”
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene noted the significance of the collaboration.
“This partnership will enable us to accelerate the operationalisation of the AfCFTA by leveraging ECA’s expertise in trade policy, economic modeling, and capacity building.
“Together, we can create a more enabling environment for African businesses and governments to fully utilise AfCFTA’s benefits.”
The MoU marks a crucial step in unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade, paving the way for increased economic cooperation and sustainable growth across the continent.
