The call was unmistakable and direct. As the third edition of the Pan-African forum Biashara Afrika kicked off in Lomé, Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé urged African leaders to move beyond political ambitions and embrace tangible economic actions that would propel sustainable growth and deeper continental integration.
Lomé is rapidly emerging as a hub for pragmatic African commerce. This Monday, the Togolese capital drew decision-makers from across the continent for the 3rd edition of Biashara Afrika. Co-organized by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the Togolese government, this high-level forum focused on intra-African trade and investment convened under a banner of decisive action.
Togo leads by example in AfCFTA implementation
President Gnassingbé used the platform to deliver a manifesto-like address, setting a bold tone for his peers: “The era of vision must become the era of results.”
In his view, Africa stands at a pivotal economic crossroads. He emphasized the continent’s collective capacity to turn political ambition into economic reality, declaring that the age of hesitation was over.
The Togolese head of state outlined his country’s action plan as proof of concept. Positioned strategically, Togo is leveraging its infrastructure to become a key link in the AfCFTA chain:
- Enhanced regional connectivity to streamline trade corridors.
- A premier logistics hub anchored by its deep-water port—unique in West Africa.
- Bold structural reforms consistently recognized across the continent for improving the business climate.
Through this model, Lomé aims to show that African economic integration can yield immediate, tangible dividends—provided political will aligns with the needs of economic operators.
AfCFTA by the numbers: a continent-sized opportunity
The AfCFTA represents the world’s largest free trade zone, uniting:
- 55 member states.
- A consumer base of 1.4 billion people.
- A combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion.
Yet despite this immense potential, real-world barriers continue to choke intra-African commerce. Biashara Afrika is confronting these bottlenecks head-on. Key priorities include dismantling non-tariff trade barriers, closing chronic infrastructure gaps, and easing access to financing. There is also a strong push to restructure fragmented value chains and integrate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are frequently sidelined in cross-border flows.
From promise to progress: the call for immediate action
“We must move from intention to tangible outcomes,” declared a Kenyan entrepreneur at the forum, echoing President Gnassingbé’s urgency. A Nigerian economist added, “The AfCFTA will only be credible if SMEs are central to this single market.” These voices reflect a growing demand among economic actors for swift and inclusive implementation.
The discussions in Lomé transcend technical debates. Biashara Afrika signals a broader geopolitical shift: an Africa determined to assert itself in global trade. The AfCFTA is seen as a strategic response to globalization challenges and rising international trade tensions.
The message from Lomé leaves no room for delay. Africa now has the legal framework, natural resources, and human capital required. For the AfCFTA, the challenge is no longer about designing the future—it’s about executing it without delay.
