AfCFTA Secretary-General Casts Doubt on 15% Intra-African Trade Figure
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has cast doubt on the often-cited statistic that intra-African trade accounts for just 15% of total trade on the continent.
According to him, the figure significantly understates the true volume of trade happening between African nations due to widespread informal trade and data limitations, particularly in the services sector.
Speaking at the Ghana Roadshow for the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Accra, Mr Mene argued that a more comprehensive assessment of trade flows could reveal a stronger performance in intra-African commerce.
“This figure likely understates the true scale of Africa’s internal trade, given the prevalence of informal cross-border activity, data gaps, and the limited capture of trade in services,” he stated.
Mr Mene reiterated AfCFTA’s commitment to reversing the continent’s dependence on raw material exports by driving industrialisation, developing regional value chains, and facilitating policies that promote intra-African production and trade.
“By dismantling trade barriers and eliminating non-tariff measures, we are incentivizing industries to specialize and add value here in Africa,” he noted.
Scheduled for September this year in Algiers, the 2025 Intra-African Trade Fair is expected to serve as a crucial platform for investment deals and strategic partnerships. The AfCFTA Secretariat will host a dedicated pavilion at the fair to provide guidance and highlight the implementation progress of the trade agreement.
“Africa’s path to genuine, inclusive prosperity depends on stronger trade performance. IATF2025 is where this vision is translated into practical reality,” Mr Mene added.
The IATF, a flagship initiative of the AfCFTA, aims to boost intra-African trade by connecting buyers and sellers from across the continent while promoting the development of regional supply chains.
