Strengthening integration and expanding economic opportunity
Trade and regional integration shape Africa’s economic transformation.
The African Continental Free Trade Area presents an opportunity to expand intra-African trade, strengthen regional value chains, and support structural transformation. At the same time, many countries face persistent constraints that limit their ability to participate effectively in regional and global markets.
Trade performance depends on the strength of institutions, policies, and capacity that enable countries to participate effectively in regional and global markets.
At ACBF, we address this challenge by strengthening the institutions, policies, and human capacity required to advance regional integration and trade-led development.
Our work contributes directly to Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting inclusive growth, regional integration, and economic transformation.
Where The Challenge Lies
Trade systems across Africa face structural and institutional constraints that limit performance and impact.
Institutional and policy gaps reduce the effectiveness of regional trade systems. Small and medium enterprises face barriers to accessing regional markets.
Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) requires stronger institutional and technical capacity. Policy coordination remains essential to sustaining growth and ensuring consistent implementation.
These constraints affect participation in regional markets.
Limited capacity reduces the ability of countries and enterprises to take advantage of trade opportunities. Weak coordination slows progress and limits the development of regional value chains.
These challenges require coordinated, capacity-driven responses to expand intra-African trade and support long-term economic transformation.
What We Do Differently
ACBF strengthens trade systems through targeted capacity development, policy support, and multi-stakeholder engagement. We focus on:
We focus on:
Strengthening institutional capacity for trade policy implementation and structural transformation
Supporting countries to advance African Continental Free Trade Area readiness and trade facilitation
Building the capacity of small and medium enterprises, policymakers, civil society organizations, and think tanks
Promoting knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and stakeholder engagement across trade ecosystems.
This approach strengthens institutional performance, improves coordination, and supports more effective participation in regional markets.
How We Work: A Systems Active Approach
ACBF delivers this work through the Capacity Development for Africa’s Structural Transformation program. The program supports countries and institutions to:
- — Strengthen institutional frameworks for trade governance and implementation
- — Conduct assessments and provide policy support for African Continental Free Trade Area implementation
- — Build capacity across public, private, and civil society actors
- — Facilitate knowledge exchange and policy dialogue across countries
These interventions strengthen coordination, improve policy implementation, and support more inclusive participation in trade systems.
Impact in Numbers
Across Africa, the program is delivering measurable results:
Countries assessed to strengthen AfCFTA knowledge and readiness, including Benin, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Togo, Zimbabwe, and Malawi
Countries supported to strengthen AfCFTA monitoring and reporting frameworks, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Togo
Civil society actors trained as AfCFTA ambassadors to expand outreach and advocacy
Countries supported through AfCFTA promotion case studies, including Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
MSMEs strengthened across 19 countries through training programs to improve access to regional markets
Country-level impact includes:
Benin, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Togo, Zimbabwe, and Malawi:
Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Togo
Beyond institutional support, ACBF is also investing in system-wide enablers. Regional platforms, policy dialogue mechanisms, and multi-stakeholder engagement processes strengthen coordination, support implementation, and expand participation in regional trade systems.
Beyond trade: enabling structural transformation
This work is about more than expanding trade.
It is about enabling countries to:
- Strengthen regional value chains
- Improve market access for enterprises
- Enhance policy coordination and governance
- Support inclusive participation in regional markets
In doing so, ACBF supports a shift from fragmented trade systems to integrated, competitive, and resilient regional economies.
Partner with ACBF
Join us in strengthening the systems that enable Africa to expand trade, deepen integration, and advance economic transformation.
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