Asmara, Eritrea, 2 November 2024 — H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, met with H.E. Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea, to advance discussions on Africa’s trade integration. This engagement underscored Eritrea’s interest in AfCFTA’s strategic role in fostering cross-border trade and enhancing regional synergies.

The meeting included a visit to an irrigation and agricultural project, highlighting opportunities for Eritrean agricultural exports in the African market. The Secretary-General provided an update on AfCFTA’s progress, emphasising newly adopted protocols on youth, women, and digital trade from the latest AU Assembly, and the significant opportunities Eritrea could leverage within a 1.4 billion-strong continental market.

President Afwerki highlighted the essential role of infrastructure in driving Africa’s development and emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to realise the continent’s potential. The Secretary-General pledged to continue these discussions with Eritrean officials in a future visit, aiming to strengthen Eritrea’s integration within Africa’s economic framework.