Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 17 March 2025 – H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, participated in the 57th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), under the theme: “Advancing the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area: Proposing Transformative Strategic Actions.”

In his remarks, H.E. Mene emphasised the shift from legal frameworks to full AfCFTA implementation, ensuring that the Agreement delivers tangible benefits for SMEs, investors, and economic operators. He underscored the importance of increasing productivity and diversifying African economies, particularly in the face of global geopolitical uncertainties, high interest rates, and constrained investment flows.

“The priority now is full implementation, delivering impact for SMEs, investors, and economic operators. The AfCFTA is not only increasing trade volumes but is also driving structural economic diversification, shifting economies away from commodity exports towards manufacturing and value-added industries.”

Highlighting initiatives designed to enhance SME participation in intra-African trade, H.E. Mene pointed to the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, which have been developed to facilitate cross-border payments and provide financial support for industrial development.

Ministers at the conference reviewed progress on AfCFTA implementation and explored key measures to accelerate trade and investment integration across the continent. Their collective commitment to implementing targeted policy and financial interventions is seen as critical to ensuring Africa’s economic transformation under the AfCFTA framework.