The Interview – Kolawole Sofola Director, Directorate of Trade, ECOWAS Commission – Nigeria : « The AFCFTA now more than ever is an answer that we need to respond to. It not only brings our markets together but also allows us to transform, generate employment and meet the critical needs of our people. »

This edition of The Interview welcomes ECOWAS Commission leadership, who shares insights on the urgency of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) amid shifting global geopolitics and supply chain disruptions. Speaking on the sidelines of Bashra Africa, he explores how regional integration, industrialization, transport corridors, and free movement policies can help unlock scale, lower trade costs, and position West Africa as a key driver of Africa’s economic transformation.