By George Ozalla
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the third edition of its training programme focused on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as efforts continue to shift Africa’s trade ambitions from policy to real business activity.
The programme will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from June 16 to June 18, 2026, drawing participants from across the continent, including business leaders, trade professionals, and policymakers.
It is being organised in partnership with the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the secretariat overseeing the continental trade agreement, with a clear focus on practical learning. Rather than broad discussions about policy, the training is designed to walk participants through the everyday realities of trading across African borders.
For many businesses, the promise of a single African market is clear, but the pathway into it is less straightforward. Questions around customs processes, documentation, tariffs, and compliance often slow down expansion plans. This programme is built to address those gaps, helping participants understand not just what the trade agreement offers, but how to actually use it.
Sessions will focus on how goods qualify for preferential access under AfCFTA, how to handle cross-border procedures, and how to avoid costly delays that can come with regulatory missteps. There is also an emphasis on helping businesses think beyond their home markets, identifying where demand exists across the continent and how to position themselves to meet it.
Cairo’s selection as host city reflects its growing role as a link between different African markets. The setting also allows participants to tap into the academic and research strength of AUC, adding depth to the programme.
Afreximbank’s role in the initiative goes beyond coordination. The bank has been actively involved in supporting trade across Africa through financing and advisory services, and this training fits into that wider effort. The aim is to ensure that businesses are better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the trade agreement presents.
The involvement of the AfCFTA secretariat is expected to give participants direct insight into how the agreement is being implemented, including updates on regulations and what is expected from businesses operating within the framework.
Feedback from earlier editions suggests a growing interest among African companies in expanding across borders. Still, many remain cautious, largely due to limited knowledge and the complexity of operating in multiple markets. This latest programme appears to be a response to that reality, focusing on practical guidance that businesses can apply immediately.
Since trading under AfCFTA began in 2021, expectations have remained high. The agreement is seen as a major step toward creating a unified market for goods and services across Africa. What is becoming clearer, however, is that its success will depend not only on governments and institutions, but on how effectively businesses are able to engage with it.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is designed to bring together countries across the continent into a single market, with the goal of boosting intra-African trade and strengthening economic ties. Afreximbank continues to support that vision through financing, trade facilitation, and capacity-building programmes aimed at helping African businesses operate more confidently across borders.
