About the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
In January 2012, The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) held its 18th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and adopted the decision for the establishment of an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It brings 55 African Countries , 1.2 billion combined population and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) exceeding US$3.4 trillion.
An Extra Ordinary Summit of the AU Assembly held on 21 March 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda, led to the signing of the framework Agreement establishing the AfCFTA and on 1 January 2021, trading commenced under the Agreement. A Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) was launched on 7 October 2022 in Accra, to help faciliate trade amongst State Parties that have met the necessary requirments. Seven States Parties (Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Egypt, and Cameroon) commenced pilot trading under the GTI which later grew to about 40 State Parties.
The AfCFTA is negotiated in the following three phases.
- Trade in Goods; Trade in Services; and Dispute Settlement
- Competition Policy; Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Investment
- Digital Trade and; Women and Youth
Objectives:
- Progressively liberalize the market for goods and services
- Create a single market for goods services and free movement of persons
- Mobility of Capital, natural persons and facilitation of investment
- Foundation of a continental customs union at a later stage
- Promotion of industrial development through diversification and regional value chain development, agricultural development and food security
- Resolving challenges of multiple and overlapping memberships as well as accelerating the regional and continental integration processes
Signatures and Ratifications
- 54 countries including all ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania have signed. Eritrea is the only country yet to sign
- 48 African Countries have ratified and deposited instruments of ratification as at March 2025, thus becoming State Parties
As at March 2026, all ECOWAS Member States have signed the Agreement and all except Benin have ratified the Agreement. In 2023, ECOWAS adopted the Regional Strategy for the implementation of the AfCFTA and has also established a Regional Commitee in November 2023 to guide the implementation of the strategy.
On 17 August, 2020, the AfCFTA Secretariat was officially commissioned in Accra, Ghana, and handed over to the Republic of Ghana.
Events
ECOWAS & UNCTAD Support Women Entrepreneurs to Leverage Digital Skills for Business Growth
The ECOWAS Commission, through the Directorate of Trade, in collaboration with the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), held a specialized Masterclass on ‘Success and Transformation: Supporting Women Digital Entrepreneurs’ from 10 - 13 March 2026 in Cotonou, Benin. The program sought to empower women entrepreneurs by strengthening their digital and entrepreneurial skills to capture emerging digital opportunities across Africa.
The opening remarks from Ambassadeur Simidélé Sèlidji Seth TEBE of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Benin highlighted that women run almost 40% of SMEs in the country and the government has invested more than 500 million CFA in ensuring that their businesses thrive. He stated that digitalization is at the heart of the national stability programme of Benin and women participation is of vital importance for this transformation. Delivering remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Resident Representative to the Republic of Benin Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, Mr. Mahueana HOUEDOU conveyed the appreciation of the ECOWAS Commissioner of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr Kalilou SYLLA, to the Government of Benin and strategic partners.
He noted the Masterclass was a key intervention to bridge the digital divide and equip women entrepreneurs with the expertise to expand their enterprises and forms part of the broader ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy. In his remarks, His Excellency Joris WP JURRIËNS, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Benin, highlighted that women entrepreneurs are essential for economic growth and women-led innovation is a foundation for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development. He underscored empowering women as a clear-sighted economic choice which unleashes a transformative force within our economies.
The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Benin, Aminatou SAR, in her remarks noted that the Masterclass was held in the symbolic context of the International Women’s Day. She stated that justice for women means ensuring equal access to resources and removal of barriers to women’s economic participation which is where the digital economy becomes important.
In her remarks, Dr. Arielle AHOUANSOU, Co-Founder & CEO of Kea Medicals and eTrade for women ‘Advocate’ stated the digital economy is redefining the way we work, innovate and create value. She highlighted that despite the immense opportunities, women remain underrepresented in the digital economy. She underscored the importance of innovating women as a thriving society.
The opening ceremony also featured a goodwill message from the Deputy Secretary – General of UNCTAD, Pedro Manuel MORENO who stated that equal participation of women in the digital economy could add up to $280 billion to the region's GDP by 2030 representing millions of jobs. He emphasized that the Masterclass brings together a community of entrepreneurs to exchange experiences and solutions to overcome obstacles and build a more inclusive economy for all.
The Masterclass provided an opportunity for regional women-owned businesses to network with other businesses on the continent. It featured training on business structuring and planning, legal framework, AI for entrepreneurs, 60 second business pitch, networking, digital marketing etc. A public-private dialogue was also held which saw a panel composed of the ECOWAS representative, the government of Benin, and the private sector discuss with the entrepreneurs. Participants also visited one of the largest regional e-commerce businesses, GOZEM. The company tour included exchanges and experience sharing with the Global Head of Operations on building a sustainable regional e-commerce business.
The Masterclass concluded with participants receiving their certificates and integrated into the larger eTrade for Women global Network where they will continue to build strong relationships with like-minded women entrepreneurs at the regional and global levels.
ECOWAS resident and permanent representatives review their achievements and outlook for the ECOWAS commission's 2022–2026 mandate
ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives, together with members of the Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, are meeting in Lomé, Togo, from 9 to 13 March 2026 for a strategic retreat to review achievements and discuss future perspectives regarding their contributions to the implementation of the Commission’s 2022–2026 mandate.The retreat, which also brings together several outgoing representatives, provides an opportunity for dialogue and the exchange of experience between former and newly appointed ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives serving across Member States.
As the primary interface between the ECOWAS Commission and Member States, ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representations serve as key diplomatic, political and coordination mechanisms tasked with advancing the regional integration agenda. Recent political and institutional crises in some countries have nevertheless highlighted a number of constraints affecting the effectiveness of these representations. Key challenges include coordination difficulties, institutional ambiguities, limited communication and decision-making channels, and insufficient participation in early warning and crisis management mechanisms.
With the current mandate of the ECOWAS Commission set to conclude in July 2026, the retreat offers a strategic opportunity to review the achievements of the Resident and Permanent Representations since 2022, particularly in relation to the “4×4” strategic objectives covering peace, security, integration, governance and sustainable development, in line with the Community’s Vision 2050.
The retreat therefore serves as a platform for assessment, learning and strategic repositioning. Participants will conduct a comprehensive review of achievements, challenges and lessons learned from recent crises, while formulating recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and positioning of ECOWAS representations under the forthcoming mandate of the Commission. The discussions will also contribute to shaping inputs towards the Summit of the Future.
In her welcome remarks, H.E. Ms Dewey Emily Gray, ECOWAS Resident Representative in the Republic of Togo, emphasised the significance of convening the retreat at this particular moment for the Community. “Just a few months before the completion of the mandate of the current leadership of the Commission, this meeting provides a valuable opportunity to pause, collectively assess the progress made since 2022, and reflect on the perspectives that will further strengthen the effectiveness of our representations,” she stated.
Officially opening the retreat on behalf of H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Chief of Staff, Mr Abdou Kolley, underscored the central role played by the Resident and Permanent Representations since the beginning of the Commission’s current mandate. “You are the voice, the presence and the operational instrument through which ECOWAS engages on the ground to sustain partnerships, promote its regional priorities and strengthen the essential dialogue between the Commission and its Member States,” he noted. “This retreat therefore holds particular importance. It is not merely an evaluation exercise, but a strategic moment for recalibration,” Mr Abdou KOLLEY reminded the participants.
Operating under ECOWAS mandates (A/DEC.9/03/14, A/DEC.12/01/03 and C/REG.25/12/13), the representations support the Commission through coordination, advocacy, monitoring, awareness-raising and diplomatic engagement. In 2025, their efforts intensified through dialogue and visibility initiatives that supported the Golden Jubilee celebrations of ECOWAS, thereby reinforcing the Community’s institutional presence across Member States.
Read more
ECOWAS pays tribute to women's contribution on international women's day 2026
ECOWAS PAYS TRIBUTE TO WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2026
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined the international community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026, paying tribute to the strength, resilience and invaluable contributions of women to the advancement of peace, unity and development across West Africa.
The ECOWAS leadership commended women across the region for their vital role in building stronger societies and advancing the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa. The statement emphasized that women remain central to the region’s social, economic and political transformation.
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, I wish to celebrate the strength, resilience and vital role of women in building a united and prosperous ECOWAS. Your daily contributions continue to inspire West Africa,” the message stated.
The statement further highlighted that women’s leadership, innovation and dedication continue to drive progress in communities, institutions and economies throughout ECOWAS Member States. It also acknowledged the critical role women play in promoting peace, strengthening democratic governance and fostering inclusive development.
ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls across the region through policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at promoting equal opportunities and participation in all sectors of society.
The organization called on governments, civil society organizations, development partners and citizens across the region to intensify efforts to remove barriers that hinder women’s full participation in economic and political life.
“As we commemorate this important day, let us collectively advance towards a future marked by equality, peace and inclusive development for all,” the message concluded.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Read more