THE AfCFTA AT FIVE

Five years into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the true success of this ambitious initiative hinges on how effectively member countries can ramp up manufacturing. Adesoji Adesugba argues that without significant industrial growth, the promise of free trade will remain unfulfilled. This matters because the AfCFTA aims to boost economic integration and create a unified market for African goods, potentially lifting millions out of poverty. The challenge now is for African nations to invest in infrastructure and technology to turn this trade agreement into a reality.