Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 November 2024 – On the margins of the 15th Council of Ministers meeting, the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks a significant milestone in advancing AfCFTA’s objectives of fostering a single, robust market across the continent.

This MoU underscores both organisations’ commitment to building a comprehensive quality infrastructure framework across Africa, designed to remove technical barriers to trade and ensure that African goods and services meet recognised international standards. By harmonising standards, accreditation, and conformity assessments across member states, the collaboration enables mutual recognition of quality standards essential for facilitating smoother trade flows. This partnership is set to pave the way for a more integrated and competitive African market, bolstering small and medium enterprises and reinforcing Africa’s position in the global economy.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and PAQI’s joint efforts reflect a shared vision for a prosperous and unified Africa, empowered by quality infrastructure that ensures product reliability, consumer confidence, and expansive market access throughout the continent.