To allow African companies to totally capitalise on the alternatives introduced by the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA), African Export-Import Financial institution (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has introduced a specialised coaching program designed to equip enterprises with a deep understanding of the settlement’s industrial implications and transformative potential.
Scheduled to happen in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 30 to July 2, 2025, the coaching program is designed to offer companies with sensible policy-relevant insights into the AfCFTA’s evolving regulatory and institutional panorama. It is going to assist individuals interpret key treaty devices, making certain compliance with new commerce guidelines whereas enhancing their data of regional integration and operational mechanisms. Moreover, this system will function a vital platform for guiding each potential and current exporters on new commerce developments, equipping them with the instruments to navigate tariff and non-tariff obstacles throughout the continent.
Conceived and applied by Afreximbank in collaboration with the American College in Cairo (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the coaching is anticipated to draw a various vary of individuals, together with African corporates engaged in import and export actions, Commerce Help Establishments reminiscent of Commerce Promotion Organizations and Chambers of Commerce, Funding Promotion Businesses, Export Buying and selling Corporations, Monetary Establishments, and the broader international commerce group.
Contributors may also profit from tailor-made shows on key Afreximbank merchandise and initiatives that help the AfCFTA’s implementation, together with the Pan-African Fee and Settlement System (PAPSS), Africa Commerce Gateway (ATG), and numerous commerce finance options.
Addressing vital data gaps to unlock AfCFTA’s potential
Reflecting on the importance of this system, Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist&Managing Director of Analysis at Afreximbank, emphasised that whereas the AfCFTA holds immense potential for Africa’s financial development, its success hinges on the flexibility of companies to totally perceive and operationalize its provisions. Nonetheless, restricted understanding of its technical and operational elements has prevented many companies from absolutely leveraging its advantages.
“The AfCFTA is not only a coverage framework—it’s a catalyst for a structural shift in Africa’s financial panorama,” stated Dr. Kale. “Nonetheless, many African companies are nonetheless grappling with restricted consciousness of the settlement’s technical provisions, commerce protocols, and strategic advantages. This information deficit has constrained their capability to compete successfully, broaden their market attain, and optimize worth chains throughout the continent.”
He additional defined that with out a stable grasp of the AfCFTA’s tariff schedules, guidelines of origin, customs cooperation, and dispute decision mechanisms, even probably the most aggressive enterprises danger lacking out on vital development alternatives.
“This coaching is about greater than compliance; it’s about empowerment. It equips individuals not solely to satisfy regulatory necessities but in addition to develop export methods, diversify markets, and enhance competitiveness.”
Tsotetsi Makong, Director Coordination and Programmes on the AfCFTA Secretariat, strengthened this level, stating:
“This coaching program will assist African companies searching for export alternatives overcome key challenges, together with understanding African markets in depth, navigating market guidelines and compliance necessities, and optimizing cross-border product transportation. To completely harness the AfCFTA’s potential, it’s important to handle these obstacles and construct the capability of African corporations to transition from native manufacturing for home consumption to a mannequin that helps exports throughout the continent and past.”
He additional highlighted Afreximbank’s dedication to the AfCFTA’s full implementation, stressing that by growing the mandatory competencies and industrial capability, all African nations can maximize the advantages of a single market. He referred to as on each private and non-private sector stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the settlement’s operationalization to drive sustainable financial development.
Afreximbank’s function in advancing the AfCFTA
As a key accomplice to the African Union within the implementation of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has spearheaded a number of initiatives that improve intra- and extra-African commerce and funding. Leveraging the experience of its Commerce Intelligence Options Unit and Human Assets and Studying Division, the Financial institution serves because the anchor establishment for the AfCFTA Coaching Program, making certain that African companies are well-equipped to thrive within the new commerce surroundings. The upcoming coaching is the second version and also will mark a milestone as one of many first main occasions hosted on the just lately launched Afreximbank African Commerce Centre (AATC) in Abuja. Purposely designed as a strategic hub for commerce facilitation, funding promotion, and enterprise collaboration, the AATC options state-of-the-art convention services, premium hospitality providers, and a dynamic surroundings conducive to studying and networking .
By equipping African companies with the data and instruments wanted to navigate the AfCFTA, Afreximbank continues to play a pivotal function in unlocking Africa’s huge commerce potential and driving financial transformation throughout the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
Media Contact:Vincent MusumbaCommunications and Occasions Supervisor (Media Relations)Electronic mail: press@afreximbank.com
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About Afreximbank:African Export-Import Financial institution (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral monetary establishment mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African commerce. For over 30 years, the Financial institution has been deploying modern buildings to ship financing options that help the transformation of the construction of Africa’s commerce, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional commerce, thereby boosting financial growth in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Commerce Settlement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Fee and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) because the fee and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Financial institution has arrange a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to help nations successfully collaborating within the AfCFTA. On the finish of December 2024, Afreximbank’s whole belongings and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has funding grade rankings assigned by GCR (worldwide scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin Worldwide Credit score Ranking Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit score Ranking Company (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has developed into a bunch entity comprising the Financial institution, its impression fund subsidiary referred to as the Fund for Export Improvement Africa (FEDA), and its insurance coverage administration subsidiary, AfrexInsure (collectively, “the Group”). The Financial institution is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For extra data, go to: www.Afreximbank.com
