From May 18 to 20, 2026, Lomé is hosting the third edition of Biashara Afrika 2026, a continental gathering dedicated to trade, investment and African economic integration. Organized by the Government of Togo and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the forum brings together policymakers, investors and economic stakeholders around a common goal: accelerating intra-African trade and strengthening local production.
Backed by 55 member states of the African Union, including 54 that have already signed its founding agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area brings together more than 1.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product estimated at over 3.4 trillion dollars, making it the world’s largest free trade area in terms of participating countries. Yet despite this enormous potential, intra-African trade remains limited. According to the 2025 African Integration Report, intra-African trade accounted for only 15 percent of the continent’s exports in 2023. In Lomé, Togo, nearly 1,400 participants met in Biashara Afrika 2026 from May 18 to 20, 2026, focusing on several priorities including industrialization, digital trade, African payment systems, logistics and trade financing.
How is Africa currently engaging? We are talking about an investment market. We need investments from different parts of the world, we need technology transfer, and we need knowledge transfer so that this huge market can truly function and operate effectively, in order to ensure that we create our own opportunities.
Tsotetsi Makong, Director of Coordination and Programmes, AfCFTA Secretariat
Biashara Afrika 2026 takes place in a context marked by geopolitical tensions, tightening global trade conditions and the reorganization of international trade flows. In response to these changes, several African economies are accelerating regional integration efforts in order to strengthen intra-African trade and reduce external dependence. However, this momentum continues to be hindered by non-tariff barriers, high transport costs, logistical deficiencies and limited access to financing. These constraints particularly affect small and medium-sized enterprises, widely regarded as the main drivers of the continent’s economic transformation.
By regarding access to financing, the protocol on women and youth in trade formalizes the commitments of our member states. These states commit to providing structured funding and encouraging the private sector to mitigate the risks linked to the challenges faced by SMEs and micro-enterprises.
Tsotetsi Makong, Director of Coordination and Programmes, AfCFTA Secretariat
From May 18 to 20, 2026, Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé, Togo, brought together 30 member states through exhibition spaces dedicated to African products, innovation and expertise, while 120 companies participated in business meetings and continental economic exchange platforms. African trade integration also continues to progress steadily. To date, 49 African states have ratified the AfCFTA agreement, while 50 countries have launched national implementation strategies.
