TUE MAY 19 2026-theGBJournal| The third edition of the premier African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum, Biashara Africa 2026 got under way on Monday in Lome, Togo, bringing together policymakers, private sector leaders, innovators, SMEs and development partners to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Opening the Forum, Honourable Badanam Patoki, Minister of Economy and Strategic Monitoring of the Togolese Republic, and Honourable Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, underscored the strategic importance of translating the promise of the AfCFTA into tangible economic opportunities for Africans.
Day 1 panel discussion, ”Building Competitive African Value Chains: From Commodities to Competitiveness,” featured keynote remarks by Ms Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, who emphasised the need to support African businesses in fully leveraging AfCFTA opportunities and highlighted the role of platforms like Biashara Afrika in strengthening SME capacities and market linkages.
The panel brought together Dr Joy Kategekwa of the AfDB, Ms Ibukun Awosika, Founder of The Chair Centre Group, Ms Happiness Nyiti of AJA Limited Tanzania, and Mr Souleymane Diagne, Group Head of Trade Finance at Ecobank.
Discussions focused on financing infrastructure and industrial development, unlocking manufacturing potential, scaling regional production systems, and strengthening the private sector’s role in Africa’s economic transformation.
A key takeaway from the session was the need to move from policy to implementation by addressing border barriers and investing in infrastructure that enables regional integration.
Meanwhile, at the Plenary Session on Customs Systems Harmonisation during forum, experts from customs administrations, financial institutions, and the private sector explored how customs harmonisation, digitalisation, and modern border management can accelerate intra-African trade.
Ms Demitta Gyang of the AfCFTA Secretariat highlighted ongoing efforts to harmonise customs procedures across the continent, while Dr Gainmore Zanamwe of Afreximbank outlined interventions supporting more efficient border systems.
Mr Nafiu Isiyaku, a top official of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) serving as Comptroller in charge of Trade Facilitation Unit/Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, shared Nigeria’s progress in coordinated border management, and Mr Fioklou Toulan reflected on Togo’s experience and reforms.
The session underscored the importance of modern, seamless customs systems in reducing trade barriers, lowering costs, and facilitating the smoother movement of goods across Africa.
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