UNECA Pushes for Strategic Reforms to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has called on African governments to undertake transformative reforms aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), warning that without bold and coordinated actions, the continent risks missing out on the pact’s full economic potential.
In its latest Economic Report on Africa titled “Advancing the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area: Proposing Transformative Strategic Actions,” UNECA outlined a suite of recommendations designed to strengthen intra-African trade and enhance regional industrialisation.
Central to the Commission’s proposals is the call for countries to fully implement AfCFTA commitments by reducing tariffs, eliminating non-tariff barriers, and harmonising trade policies across the continent.
“Governments should prioritise the full implementation of the AfCFTA. This requires strengthening national AfCFTA implementation committees and enhancing private sector engagement,” the report noted.
UNECA is also urging African states to develop robust regional value chains in strategic sectors such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy. Achieving this, it said, would require the adoption of targeted industrial policies, increased investments in productive capacities, and support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Climate-smart integration also featured prominently in the report, with UNECA advocating the incorporation of carbon pricing mechanisms and clean energy investments into AfCFTA strategies. According to the report, Africa’s transition to renewable energy—particularly solar and wind—could demand as much as $22.4 billion in investments between 2025 and 2040.
The Commission further called for the digitisation of customs procedures, including the use of blockchain and electronic data processing systems to cut trade costs and improve efficiency. Investments in digital infrastructure such as broadband networks, internet exchange points, and data centres are expected to facilitate digital trade and technological innovation.
In promoting inclusive trade, UNECA urged member states to implement gender-sensitive policies within the AfCFTA framework. These would include improving women’s access to finance, education, and digital skills, while removing barriers hindering women’s participation in cross-border trade and supporting women-led SMEs.
The report also recommends the harmonisation of trade regulations across regional economic communities (RECs) to reduce policy fragmentation and ensure coherence. Key initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) were cited as enablers for the free movement of people, goods, and capital.
Lastly, UNECA underscored the importance of sustainable urban development in managing Africa’s rapid urbanisation. Investing in affordable housing, clean water, and sanitation, alongside job creation in urban services and the informal sector, the Commission said, would help unlock the continent’s demographic dividend and tackle youth unemployment.
With the AfCFTA projected to boost intra-African trade by up to 52% once fully operational, UNECA’s strategic blueprint is seen as critical to ensuring the pact delivers meaningful economic gains for African economies.
