- Afreximbank is set to equip traders with vital tools to navigate both tariff and non-tariff barriers in AfCFTA.
- In a June 30 to July 2, 2025, forum in Abuja, the lender will coach both prospective and existing exporters on emerging intra-Africa trade issues.
- So far, limited understanding of AFCFTA’s technical and operational aspects has barred many firms from leveraging the bloc’s benefits.
Lender Afreximbank is rolling out a bespoke training, targeting traders across Africa with key insights on how to leverage on the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest trading bloc by member countries, to grow their investments.
Statistics show that ntra-African trade has the potential to increase by over 52 per cent this year if the AfCFTA is fully implemented, and could reach a value of over $70 billion annually in the short term.
Furthermore, studies by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) suggest that AfCFTA could boost intra-African trade by up to $450 billion by 2035, particularly if combined with trade facilitation measures and infrastructure improvements.
In an update, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that it will be running a tailormade training to sharpen entrepreneurs keen on growing their presence in the continent with critical understanding of the transformative business potential inherent in the AfCFTA.
The training, which is set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 30 to July 2nd this year is poised to equip participating entrepreneurs with insights on policy across markets, enabling them to align their investments for optimum benefits.
Abuja forum to interpret AfCFTA’s treaty
According to the Afreximbank, the forum will help participating companies to better interpret key treaty instruments in the bloc, thereby helping traders to comply with new trade rules while enhancing their knowledge on regional integration and operational mechanisms.
Additionally, Afreximbank said the business training initiative will serve as a critical platform for guiding both prospective and existing exporters on emerging trade developments, equipping them with the tools to navigate both tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The training will be implemented by Afreximbank in collaboration with the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Organizers expect to host a diverse range of participants drawn from among others corporates in Africa that are engaged in import and export business, trade support institutions such as trade promotion organizations and chambers of commerce.
Additionally, the forum will see investment promotion agencies, export trading companies, financial institutions, and the broader foreign trade community converge in Abuja to explore ways in which investors from across the continent can harness AfCFTA’s potential.
The Afreximbank said that delegates will also learn from tailor-made presentations on the lender’s products and initiatives that support the roll out of AfCFTA such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), and various trade finance products and services.
Reflecting on the significance of the program, Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist & Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank, noted that while the AfCFTA holds immense potential for Africa’s economic growth, its success hinges on the ability of businesses to fully understand and operationalize its provisions.
Limited understanding of AfCFTA’s operations
However, limited understanding of its technical and operational aspects has prevented many businesses from fully leveraging its benefits.
“The AfCFTA is not just a policy framework—it is a catalyst for a structural shift in Africa’s economic landscape,” said Dr. Kale. “However, many African businesses are still grappling with limited awareness of the agreement’s technical provisions, trade protocols, and strategic benefits. This knowledge deficit has constrained their ability to compete effectively, expand their market reach, and optimize value chains across the continent.”
Without a solid grasp of the AfCFTA’s tariff schedules, rules of origin, customs cooperation, and dispute resolution mechanisms, he noted that even the most competitive enterprises operating in the continent risk missing out on critical growth opportunities.
“This training is about more than compliance; it is about empowerment. It equips participants not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to develop export strategies, diversify markets, and improve competitiveness.”
Tsotetsi Makong, Director Coordination and Programmes at the AfCFTA Secretariat, reinforced this point, stating:
“This training program will help African businesses seeking export opportunities overcome key challenges, including understanding African markets in depth, navigating market rules and compliance requirements, and optimizing cross-border product transportation. To fully harness the AfCFTA’s potential, it is essential to address these barriers and build the capacity of African companies to transition from local production for domestic consumption to a model that supports exports across the continent and beyond.”
Tsotetsi Makong highlighted Afreximbank’s commitment to the AfCFTA’s full rollout, noting that by developing the necessary competencies and industrial capacity, all African nations can optimize the benefits of a single market. He called on both public and private sector stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the agreement’s operationalization to drive sustainable economic growth.
Afreximbank’s role in advancing the AfCFTA
As a key partner to the African Union in the implementation of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has spearheaded multiple initiatives that enhance intra- and extra-African trade and investment.
Leveraging the expertise of its Trade Intelligence Solutions Unit and Human Resources and Learning Department, the Bank serves as the anchor institution for the AfCFTA Training Program, ensuring that African businesses are well-equipped to thrive in the new trade environment. The upcoming training is the second edition and will also mark a milestone as one of the first major events hosted at the recently launched Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja.
Purposely designed as a strategic hub for trade facilitation, investment promotion, and business collaboration, the AATC features state-of-the-art conference facilities, premium hospitality services, and a dynamic environment conducive to learning and networking.
By equipping African businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the AfCFTA, Afreximbank continues to play a pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s vast trade potential and driving economic transformation across the continent.
Read also: Is the AfCFTA plan simply a playground for the big players?
