Africa's Continental Free Trade Area Is Working — Here's the Proof
Intra-African trade has grown 18% since the AfCFTA became operational. The sceptics were wrong.
When the African Continental Free Trade Area was launched, sceptics were plentiful. "African countries don't trade with each other," they said. "The infrastructure isn't there." "Too many non-tariff barriers."
Three years in, the data tells a different story. Intra-African trade has grown 18% in value terms. Ghana's exports to fellow African nations have increased 24%, led by processed cocoa products, petroleum, and manufactured goods. The AfCFTA secretariat in Accra has facilitated over 200 trade disputes and harmonized customs procedures across 38 active member states.
This is not to say challenges don't remain — rules of origin disputes, inconsistent standards, and logistics gaps persist. But the trajectory is undeniable. The AfCFTA is working, and Ghana, as its host nation, should double down on its commitment.