Mozambique launches first shipment of goods under AfCFTA

Stanley Ihedigbo

Mozambique has officially launched its first shipment of goods to be exported under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

The historic event was held in the Mozambican port city of Beira and was led by the Prime Minister of Mozambique, H.E. Maria Benvinda Levi. The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, was present as a guest of honor.

The launch marks a significant milestone in Mozambique’s role within the Continental Free Trade Framework and signifies the country’s commitment to boosting intra-African trade and regional economic integration. The goods, destined for Kenya, are expected to increase Mozambique’s trade with the rest of the African continent.

The AfCFTA Secretariat, in collaboration with the Government of Djibouti, recently concluded an inaugural Regional Conference on Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The conference brought together senior government officials, SEZ authorities, development finance institutions, private sector leaders, and international partners to explore how SEZs can drive economic transformation and expand intra-African trade within the AfCFTA framework.

The conference emphasized the strategic importance of SEZs in unlocking unprecedented growth across the continent. The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, noted that SEZs are practical tools for investment, innovation, and resilience.

The inaugural AfCFTA Digital Trade and Services Forum recently concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, with a call to action to advance Africa’s digital economy. The forum brought together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, the private sector, development partners, and innovators from across the continent and beyond.

The forum emphasized the need for collective action in building digital infrastructure, securing investment, and scaling up innovation. The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, stressed the urgency of investing in interoperable infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and capacity-building initiatives that equip African youth, women, and small enterprises to compete in the digital age.

Experts at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum emphasized the need for urgent investment in digital infrastructure as a catalyst for boosting digital trade in Africa. The forum highlighted the importance of digital inclusion for MSMEs, cross-border payments, data governance, artificial intelligence, and the monetization of digital platforms.

The AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with the Google Hustle Academy, launched the AfCFTA Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme, aimed at bridging Africa’s digital skills gap and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs.

These developments mark significant steps towards achieving the AfCFTA’s goal of creating a single African digital market and promoting economic integration across the continent.