Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15 February 2026 – H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, held an exchange with H.E. Sebastien Pillay, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles, and Hon. Barry Faure, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, on positioning Seychelles to maximise opportunities under the AfCFTA.

Discussions addressed transport and connectivity challenges that constrain intra-African trade, particularly for island economies. The Secretary-General noted that the AfCFTA has instruments, including the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, to help address these gaps and support State Parties in adapting to the demands of continental trade integration.

Both parties also highlighted the opportunities presented by the Protocol on Digital Trade, including its potential to mitigate geographic constraints and enable greater participation in regional and continental value chains.

The Secretary-General emphasised the importance of developing a national AfCFTA implementation strategy that reflects the structure and realities of the local economy, with a view to ensuring balanced and inclusive industrial growth.