Heads of State, public policymakers, investors and African business leaders are gathering in Lomé, Togo, for the third edition of Biashara Afrika 2026. For three days, the Togolese capital is hosting a continental platform dedicated to intra-African trade and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Africa’s economic diplomacy took center stage in Lomé on May 18, 2026, as the third edition of Biashara Afrika officially opened at the Palais des Congrès. Organized by the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area in collaboration with the Government of Togo, the forum brings together policymakers, investors, development partners and private sector leaders from across the continent to accelerate intra-African trade and advance the implementation of the AfCFTA.The opening ceremony was presided over by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, alongside senior officials of regional and international institutions, in a strong show of commitment to Africa’s economic integration agenda. In his address, the Togolese leader underscored the importance of transforming Africa’s trade potential into concrete economic outcomes through stronger cooperation, industrial development and regional value chains.
Even today, logistics costs in the region remain among the highest in the world. Non-tariff barriers persist, and border delays continue to slow down trade. I would like to thank our two colleagues, the minister from Nigeria and the president of the bank for pointing out our shortcomings, and I am asking the Minister of Security to resolve this issue within 48 hours.
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council
Biashara Afrika 2026 is held under the theme: “Powering Africa’s Economic Transformation through the AfCFTA,” reflecting the urgency of turning continental frameworks into tangible growth drivers for African economies.The forum comes at a time when the AfCFTA is gaining momentum, with increasing ratifications and a steady rise in intra-African trade, estimated at over 220 billion US dollars in 2024. Yet challenges remain, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, financing and non-tariff barriers that continue to limit trade flows across the continent.
Progress on rules of origin, negotiations, including the breakthrough in sectors such as the automotive sector which is set to drive our industrial development as a continent as well as breakthrough on textile and clothing indicate that the elements that are required to foster and build industrial development in Africa are steadily being achieved. We therefore call in the area of the automotive sector we call on the OEM to play their part to invest in Africa’s industrial development and to invest accross our continent whether it is in big economies or small economies.
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-general of the AfCFTA
Biashara Afrika 2026 places strong emphasis on industrialization, digital trade, logistics, infrastructure development and African value chain integration. For Togo, hosting this edition further reinforces its ambition to position itself as a strategic hub for trade and connectivity in West Africa, leveraging its modern infrastructure, digital reforms and the strategic role of the Autonomous Port of Lomé.
