Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Hosted by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute, the webinar brought together policy experts from Cameroon, Zambia, and South Sudan to take stock of how far implementation has gone, and what still stands in the way.
Moderated by CEPI’s Executive Director, Henri Koum, the discussions painted a picture of both opportunity and urgency.
“The AfCFTA represents a major opportunity for Africa’s economic development, creating a single market of over 1.3 billion consumers,” Koum noted in his opening remarks.
“However, implementation varies widely, and several challenges persist.”
Across the three countries examined, the differences are stark. In South Sudan, progress has stalled. Despite signing the agreement in 2018, the country has yet to ratify it. According to expert John Mustafa, limited awareness among policymakers and fears of economic vulnerability have slowed momentum.
There is growing concern that opening borders too quickly could turn the young nation into a dumping ground for more industrialized economies.
Zambia, by contrast, is moving from commitment to concrete action. Trade analyst Kenny Suze highlighted how the country ratified the agreement in 2021 and followed up with a national strategy in 2022.
The results are already visible: in 2025, Zambia successfully exported its first beef consignments to the Democratic Republic of Congo, positioning itself as a rising agricultural supplier within Africa.
Cameroon stands somewhere in between, but with notable progress.
Having ratified AfCFTA in 2019, the country was selected in 2022 to pilot the General Trade Initiative. Research insights shared by Dinga Tambi indicate that Cameroon has already begun exporting products such as tea and dried fruits to Ghana under the framework, signaling early gains from regional integration.
Breaking Barriers to Trade
Despite these gains, experts agree that structural barriers continue to slow implementation across the continent.
From poor road and rail networks to congested ports, infrastructure gaps remain a major bottleneck. For land-linked countries like Zambia, efficient transport corridors are not just helpful, they are essential.
Beyond infrastructure, institutional weaknesses also loom large. Panelists emphasized the need to modernize customs systems, train officials in digital tools, and harmonize trade procedures.
Just as critical is raising awareness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of whom remain unfamiliar with AfCFTA rules, especially rules of origin.
One of the most compelling takeaways from the discussion that held on March 6, was the need to bring more Africans—especially women and youth—into the formal economy.
Experts called for simplifying business registration processes, expanding access to finance, and supporting participation in digital and financial sectors. Moving beyond low-value informal activities could unlock significant economic potential across the continent.
Another key issue raised was Africa’s dependence on foreign currencies for intra-African trade. Panelists advocated for strengthening regional payment systems to reduce reliance on the US dollar, cut transaction costs, and shield economies from global currency shocks.
The Road Ahead
As the webinar drew to a close, a clear message emerged: the success of AfCFTA will depend not just on political commitment, but on practical reforms.
Countries must align national policies with the agreement, improve transparency in trade data, and focus on sectors where they hold a competitive advantage rather than trying to produce everything.
For Cameroon, Zambia, and beyond, the AfCFTA represents a rare opportunity to reshape Africa’s economic future. But as this conversation showed, turning that promise into reality will require speed, coordination—and above all, decisive action.
