President Paul Kagame and African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary-General Wamkele Mene met in Kigali to address the slow pace of trade agreement implementation across the continent. According to a statement from the Office of the President, the discussions at Village Urugwiro focused on concrete steps member states must take to fulfill their commitments and expand intra-African trade.
President Paul Kagame and AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene Discuss Acceleration of African Continental Trade
Implementation Timeline and Current Ratification Status
The AfCFTA agreement officially entered into force in May 2019, while actual trading under its preferential framework commenced on Jan. 1, 2021. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, 50 out of the 54 signatory countries had ratified the agreement as of October 2025. Despite broad diplomatic sign-off, leaders like Kagame have raised concerns regarding the snail’s pace of practical uptake among participating nations.
To test and jump-start preferential trade, the Guided Trade Initiative was launched with seven initial participant countries: Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, and Tanzania. Rwanda has utilized this mechanism to route agricultural and livestock exports to other African markets. In 2024, the Rwandan government exported goods to Ghana under the framework, including 400 kilograms of coffee, 400 kilograms of tea, and 100 liters of avocado oil, according to official reports.
Expanding Economic Links Through Education and Policy
Alongside trade discussions, President Kagame also met with Monica Geingos, former first lady of Namibia and chancellor of Kepler. According to the president’s office, their talks centered on shifting mindsets, the foundational role of education, and creating broader economic development opportunities for young people across Rwanda and the wider continent.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Agreement Entered into Force | May 2019 |
| Trading Commenced | January 1, 2021 |
| Ratifications Reached (50 of 54 Signatories) | October 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary objective of the AfCFTA? The continental agreement aims to establish a single market for goods and services while significantly reducing trade barriers among African nations.
- Which countries participated in the initial Guided Trade Initiative? The initial testing phase included Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, and Tanzania.
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