CAIRO, Egypt — The East African Business Council (EABC) has called for the urgent implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing its critical role in driving economic growth and integration across the continent.
The call was made during the 17th meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers and the High-Level Private Sector Dialogue held this week in Cairo. The event, hosted by Egypt in its role as current president of the Council, brought together regional economic stakeholders and private sector leaders, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Business Council.
EABC Vice Chairperson Simon Kaheru underscored the importance of private sector involvement in realizing the goals of the AfCFTA.
“We are equal partners in ensuring that the integration of Africa for increased trade and prosperity is a success,” Kaheru said. “Our interests are the same, even though the private sector focuses on profit and business growth and the public sector aims at the creation of jobs and wealth for our largely youth demographic across the continent. At the end of the day, we are all working for Africans to prosper, and it is urgent for all of us.”
The Cairo meeting marked a key transition from the negotiation phase of the AfCFTA to its implementation. The EABC, as a leading private sector advocate in East Africa, participated in discussions aimed at ensuring businesses are equipped to take advantage of the trade pact’s opportunities.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene also stressed the urgency of moving forward with implementation, describing the free trade area as Africa’s strategic response to global geopolitical and economic challenges.
“We must ensure that no country is left behind as we pursue industrial development across the continent,” Mene said.
Egypt assumed the Council presidency in April 2025, taking over from Tanzania. Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to advancing intra-African trade and deeper economic integration in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“The AfCFTA must become a tangible reality,” El-Khatib said, adding that the agreement is essential to fostering sustainable development and regional economic cohesion.
The EABC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with governments and regional bodies to create an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and trade under the AfCFTA framework.
