African Trade: Bringing AfCFTA Closer to Local Businesses {Business Africa}
Access to finance also remains a critical obstacle. To address this, the ITC has partnered with Equity Group to expand trade finance for priority sectors while providing entrepreneurs—particularly young business owners—with greater access to market intelligence, business support services and regiona
Nearly a decade after the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), many of the small businesses it was designed to empower say its benefits remain out of reach.
While the agreement promises a unified market across Africa, entrepreneurs continue to face barriers such as poor infrastructure, complex border procedures, and limited access to trade opportunities, highlighting the gap between policy goals and everyday economic realities.
In an interview with International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, we examine why many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have yet to benefit from the AfCFTA, despite significant progress in implementing the agreement.
The discussion also explores how economic diversification, green certifications, and expanded access to trade finance can help African businesses become more competitive and resilient in regional and global markets.
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