Nairobi, Kenya – 12 December 2024: H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, participated in the closing ceremony of Kenya’s 2024 Jamhuri Week. Highlighting the transformative potential of the AfCFTA, H.E. Mene noted that with a market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, the AfCFTA is unlocking opportunities for youth, SMEs, and the creative industries across the continent.

During his visit, H.E. Mene paid a courtesy call on H.E. the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi. They discussed the AfCFTA Secretariat’s key initiatives aligned with Kenya’s priorities, including progress on the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative and actionable steps following the outcomes of the Sherpas meeting in Baku. These discussions emphasised Kenya’s pivotal role in driving sustainable industrial growth across the continent.

H.E. Mene also met with Mr. Ali Mohamed, Special Envoy on Climate, to deliberate on advancing the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), a flagship programme promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

In addition, H.E. Mene held discussions with Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs, focusing on the AfCFTA Women and Youth Protocol and preparations for the 2025 AfCFTA Youth Symposium, which will be hosted in Kenya. These engagements underscored the importance of empowering youth and women as key participants in intra-African trade and economic growth.

These engagements demonstrate the AfCFTA Secretariat’s commitment to fostering job creation, inclusive policies, and sustainable growth while showcasing Kenya’s leadership in advancing Africa’s trade and development agenda under the AfCFTA framework.