Togo: Mid-term review of the AfCFTA – the private sector at the heart of continental integration
Since Tuesday and until this Friday, June 5, key stakeholders from public administration, the private sector, professional organizations, and experts have gathered in Aného to assess the progress made since the entry into force of this historic agreement. The workshop, organized by the delegated ministry responsible for Trade and Quality Control, is examining the preliminary results of a report on the effective implementation of the continental framework.
The objective is clear: identify achievements, analyze persistent constraints, and define measures to strengthen the integration of Togo into the continental market.
Discussions cover strategic levers such as trade facilitation, market access, the development of regional value chains, and support mechanisms for businesses.
Particular attention is being paid to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are key to harnessing the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.
At the opening of the proceedings, Koffi Vinyo Mensah, chief of staff to the delegated minister, reaffirmed the firm commitment of the government to adapting the national legal, regulatory, and institutional framework to meet the requirements of the continental agreement.
This approach is all the more crucial given that intra-African trade remains limited despite the continent’s immense market potential.
This assessment comes a few weeks after the Biashara Afrika 2026 forum, held in Lomé, where Togolese authorities announced a flagship measure: a 30-day visa exemption for African nationals holding an official passport.
This is a powerful lever for the mobility of people and regional economic integration.
At the conclusion of the Aného workshop, the expected recommendations will inform new concrete actions aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Togolese businesses and increasing their participation in intra-African trade.
Step by step, Togo is positioning itself as a dynamic gateway to the single market of the continent.
Chantal TAWELESSI
