AfCFTA Secretariat engages Canada to strengthen trade and economic cooperation
Date: 2026-05-05
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat has held a high-level meeting
with Global Affairs Canada as part of its official visit to Ottawa, aimed at
deepening institutional collaboration and advancing Africa’s economic
integration agenda.
The
engagement was led by Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA
Secretariat, who met with the Global Affairs Canada Branches Management team to
discuss areas of mutual interest as the continental trade agreement moves into
its implementation phase.
Discussions
focused on strengthening economic relations between Africa and Canada, aligning
strategic priorities, and identifying opportunities to support the
operationalization of the AfCFTA in an evolving global economic environment.
Key
areas of cooperation included industrialisation, value chain development, and
digital trade, as well as initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of
women and youth in intra-African trade. Both sides also explored ways to expand
partnerships between African institutions and international stakeholders to
unlock new trade and investment opportunities.
The
meeting underscored the importance of coordinated action and practical
collaboration in advancing the objectives of the AfCFTA, particularly in
boosting intra-African trade and supporting sustainable economic growth across
the continent.
The
engagement forms part of broader efforts by the AfCFTA Secretariat to
strengthen global partnerships and accelerate the implementation of Africa’s
flagship trade integration framework.
