Bangui, Central African Republic, 25 February 2026 – At the opening ceremony of the Private Sector and Youth Forum in Bangui, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), joined the Ministry of Trade and Industry, policymakers, and business leaders of the Central African Republic to advance the country’s implementation of the AfCFTA.

The forum underscored a clear message: effective policy and an empowered private sector must move together to unlock the full benefits of the continental market.

Participants highlighted key operational instruments of the AfCFTA, including the AfCFTA e-Tariff Book, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, and the AfCFTA Non-Tariff Barriers Mechanism, which are contributing to reducing trade barriers, facilitating cross-border transactions, and expanding opportunities for African enterprises.

The engagement reinforced the importance of strengthening the role of the private sector and youth as key drivers of intra-African trade and ensuring that AfCFTA implementation delivers tangible and inclusive economic outcomes.