The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into concrete economic opportunities for businesses across West Africa.
This was highlighted during the 3rd Edition of the Biashara Afrika Forum held in Lomé, Togo, from May 18 to 20, 2026, where ECOWAS joined policymakers, trade institutions, business support organisations, and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA and strengthen intra-African trade.
According to ECOWAS, in a statement on Wednesday, deliberations at the forum focused on key issues including trade finance, digital payment systems, standards harmonisation, non-tariff barriers, and the development of regional value chains aimed at boosting competitiveness and economic growth across the continent.
Participants stressed the importance of coordinated regional action to ensure that the AfCFTA delivers tangible benefits to businesses and citizens, moving beyond policy aspirations to measurable outcomes.
ECOWAS also engaged stakeholders on strategies to strengthen trade promotion networks and improve market access for businesses, particularly SMEs, as part of efforts to deepen regional integration and drive sustainable economic transformation in West Africa.
The forum served as a platform for collaboration among public and private sector actors seeking to unlock the full potential of Africa’s single market under the AfCFTA framework.
