East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Abdirahman Bashir has called for accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Abdirahman Bashir urged African governments and regional institutions to translate policy commitments into concrete legislative and economic action.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) workshop for the East African Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, Bashir said the continent had entered a decisive phase in the implementation of the landmark trade agreement.
“I was pleased to contribute to the UNECA Workshop for EALA’s Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment,” Bashir said.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a massive trade pact connecting 54 African Union member states to form a single market of 1.4 billion people.”
He stressed that the success of the agreement would depend on converting political commitments into tangible outcomes through legislation, parliamentary oversight, domestication of the agreement, and stronger private sector participation.
“We must move commitments into action through legislation, oversight, domestication and private-sector engagement,” he said.
Bashir also expressed appreciation to UNECA, EALA and development partners for convening the forum, describing it as an important platform for strengthening regional economic integration.
His remarks come as the AfCFTA enters a critical implementation stage in 2026, with the focus shifting from negotiating the agreement to removing practical barriers to trade and enabling businesses to benefit from the continental market.
As of mid-2026, 49 of the 54 African Union member states have ratified the agreement, while several countries are reviewing domestic trade regulations to eliminate procedural bottlenecks and facilitate smoother cross-border commerce.
The African Union Assembly recently approved the finalized continental rules of origin, paving the way for wider preferential trade under the agreement.
A high-level implementation oversight committee, chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto, has also been established in Accra to accelerate the submission of tariff schedules by member states.
Further momentum was generated during the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum held in July 2026, where stakeholders developed new operational guidelines aimed at digitizing regional value chains.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has also renewed its partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to support small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to access opportunities within the continental market.
Several countries have yet to gazette their national tariff concession schedules, delaying the full rollout of duty-free trade. In addition, restrictions on the free movement of labour continue to hinder economic integration.
According to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, stringent work permit requirements and limited mutual recognition of professional qualifications remain major obstacles preventing skilled workers from moving freely across African borders.
MP Bashir said sustained legislative action, effective oversight and closer collaboration with the private sector would be essential to ensuring the AfCFTA delivers on its promise of boosting intra-African trade, industrialization and economic growth across the continent.
