The Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area

Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area

Mobilizing the private sector to unlock Africa's trade potential

Driving Africa’s trade and industrial transformation through public-private action

Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a coalition of global business leaders, African governments and development institutions convened by the World Economic Forum to accelerate AfCFTA implementation. Through public-private collaboration, it aims to unlock Africa’s $3.4 trillion trade potential by closing investment gaps, strengthening regional value chains and facilitating cross-border trade.

What is the AfCFTA?

Comprising 55 countries with a population of 1.3 billion and combined GDP of about $3.4 trillion, the African Continental Free Area is the largest free trade area in the world, both by area and by the number of countries. Currently, 54 of the 55 African countries have signed the agreement, with 44 ratifying it. If fully implemented, the trade pact has the potential to contribute to the long-overdue industrialization and economic diversification of African countries.

Our focus areas

Forum Friends of AfCFTA is a structured platform for public-private cooperation, focused on a practical, results-oriented approach. It engages business and government leaders through a sequenced strategy to build awareness, align priorities and accelerate action – leveraging the Forum’s trade ecosystem, including policy dialogues, research and cross-sector networks.

The coalition pursues four core objectives:

Aligning  public and private sector trade priorities

Positioning companies at the forefront of shaping Africa’s next generation trade & investment rules.

Mobilizing business leadership and commitments 

Implementing an AfCFTA private sector action plan anchored on measurable, sector-specific corporate commitments.

Facilitating high-impact public-private partnerships

Advancing investment-ready opportunities in cross-border trade critical sectors and supporting AfCFTA national implementation through trade facilitation.

Championing regional industrialization and digital transformation

Promoting regional manufacturing, value chain integration and services sector development.

Our Impact

By strategically engaging government and business leaders while leveraging the Forum’s trade ecosystem, we advance initiatives that accelerate the AfCFTA's implementation and the unlocking of Africa's trade potential.

Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade (ADAPT) Initiative

Advancing the digital foundations of Africa's single market - in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Tony Blair Institute and IOTA.

Forum Friends of the AfCFTA Action Plan

Driving measurable private sector action to accelerate AfCFTA implementation.

Thought Leadership

Publish thought leadership and host sessions at Forum summits and other events to share actionable insights with a global audience. 

Our latest reports

AfCFTA Implementation: Learnings from Value Chains and Regional Blocs

The report examines how lessons from Africa's regional economic blocs can accelerate AfCFTA implementation. Drawing on a private sector case study, it highlights the importance of regional trade facilitation for the AfCFTA and underscores the role of businesses in identifying and addressing trade barriers.

AfCFTA: A New Era for Global Business and Investment in Africa

Underscoring the critical role of global business for the AfCFTA agenda, this report showcases high-potential sectors and initiatives/tools for business expansion and investment in Africa's single market - with practical insights for market entry and growth.

Growing Intra-African Trade through Digital Transformation of Border and Customs Services

Developed in collaboration with Deloitte, this report explores how digital transformation can modernize border and customs services, reduce non-tariff barriers and unlock the AfCFTA's potential to transform intra-African and enhance economic welfare.

Connecting Countries and Cities for Regional Value Chain Integration: Operationalizing the AfCFTA

The report examines how unlocking manufacturing and development of regional value chains in Africa can drive economic recovery and strengthen supply chain resilience in the AfCFTA context - focusing on the automotive industry.

Discover more about Africa's evolving trade landscape

blog post

How can African countries boost their participation in global supply chains?

In collaboration with  UNCTAD

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August 2023

BLOG POST

African Free Trade Area can herald $12 billion growth for the continent’s automotive industry

Chido Munyati, Landry Signe

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April 2023     

BLOG POST

In Africa’s free trade area, investment in pharmaceuticals means impact and profit

Chido Munyati, Landry Signe

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March 2023

BLOG POST

How Africa’s new Free Trade Area will turbocharge the continent’s agriculture industry

Chido Munyati, Landry Signe

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March  2023

BLOG POST

Africa's logistics sector set to deliver results as free trade agreement kicks in

Chido Munyati, Landry Signe

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March 2023

BLOG POST

A new era for global business and investment in Africa

In  collaboration with  withAfrica.com

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January 2023

BLOG  POST

How Africa’s free trade area is an opportunity for recovery and development

Chido Munyati

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May 2022

Join us in advancing the implementation of Africa's single market

Collectively, we can unlock Africa's trade potential and drive manufacturing, job creation, economic resilience and structural transformation on the continent.

Part of the Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics

Through its centers, the Forum integrates Public-Private efforts to achieve greater impact.

The Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area

A World Economic Forum Initiative
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