African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Operational Lead: AfCFTA Secretariat (Accra) Integrated Continent

Progress

72%

Aim

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates the world's largest free trade area by member count, eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods, liberalising services, and building the institutional framework for a single continental market of 1.4 billion people.

Progress to date

As of 2025, 54 of 55 AU member states have signed and 47 have ratified the agreement. Preferential tariff trading commenced in 2021, and the AfCFTA Secretariat is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, actively coordinating Phase II protocols on investment, competition, and e-commerce.

Challenges

Non-tariff barriers, weak customs infrastructure, limited intra-African payment systems, and gaps in the rules-of-origin framework continue to suppress trade volumes well below the agreement's potential.

Next steps

Completing Phase II negotiations, operationalising the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and expanding the Guided Trade Initiative to more member states are the immediate priorities for 2025 to 2026.

Started 2018Target 2030

Milestones

2012 · done

AU Assembly decision to establish AfCFTA

2015 · done

Formal AfCFTA negotiations launched

2018 · done

Agreement signed by 44 founding states at Kigali

2019 · done

Agreement enters into force; Secretariat established in Accra

2021 · done

Trading commences under preferential tariff framework

2022 · done

Guided Trade Initiative pilot launched

2024 · in progress

Phase II negotiations on investment and digital trade

2030 · planned

Full continental single market operational (target)