CAIRO, Egypt, April 22/APO Group: African Corporates will have a unique opportunity to learn how to fully maximize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) when the third edition of the AfCFTA Training Programme kicks off from June 16-18.
Developed and led by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the programme aims to equip participants with the required skills, knowledge, and practical expertise to navigate and succeed within Africa’s evolving intra-African trade landscape.
While the AfCFTA has significant potential to drive economic development across Africa, limited understanding of its technical provisions and practical applications continues to hinder the full realization of its benefits.
The programme is designed to equip businesses with practical, actionable insights on identifying and capitalising on trade opportunities, managing export and import operations, and navigating trade finance, supply chains, and the broader international trade environment.
It will also provide a clear understanding of how the AfCFTA framework addresses capacity constraints and expands market access for producers of goods and services across the continent.
By translating the AfCFTA’s legal and treaty provisions into business-ready strategies, the programme offers clarity on the regulatory, operational, and market requirements necessary for companies to fully leverage opportunities within the rapidly expanding AfCFTA market.
As the African Union’s key strategic partner in implementing the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has spearheaded multiple initiatives to advance both intra- and extra-African trade and investment, with training playing a key role in capacity building.
Commenting on the programme, Group Chief Economist & Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank, Dr. Yemi Kale, described it as “a strategic platform for advancing the adoption and deepening the understanding of the AfCFTA among key stakeholders, particularly corporates within the broader private sector ecosystem.”
He added that the initiative “reinforces the Bank’s commitment to equipping businesses with the insights and capabilities required to effectively leverage opportunities under the Agreement.”
While the Director of Trade in Goods and Competition at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Mohamed Ali, said: “This programme represents a critical step towards unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade through targeted capacity building and strategic partnerships. Our collaboration with Afreximbank reinforces a shared commitment to equip African businesses with the practical knowledge, tools, and institutional support required to effectively utilize the Agreement.”
