West and North African countries convene in Lomé to accelerate AfCFTA implementation and strengthen regional economic resilience

22 May, 2026Share this:

• facebook
• twitter
• email
• print

Lomé, Togo, 21 May 2026 – The Government of Togo, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), officially launched today in Lomé a high-level regional workshop on the implementation strategies of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Organized by ECA through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and its Subregional Offices for West Africa and North Africa, with the financial support of Open Society Foundations, the workshop is taking place from 21 to 22 May 2026 in Lomé, Togo.

The meeting brings together representatives of ministries in charge of trade, regional economic communities, the private sector, and chambers of commerce, as well as technical and financial partners from West and North Africa.

The workshop aims to assess progress made in the implementation of the AfCFTA, share experiences and best practices, identify persistent challenges, and define priority actions to accelerate Africa’s trade integration.

At a time when Africa continues to face the effects of multidimensional crises — including disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global supply chains — participants are examining the strategic role of the AfCFTA in strengthening the continent’s economic resilience and reducing external dependency.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ngone Diop, Director of the ECA Subregional Office for West Africa, stressed that: “Accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA must therefore be viewed as part of Africa's broad response strategy to an increasingly uncertain and fragmented global environment.”

She further noted that: “This workshop is about taking AfCFTA implementation one important step further. It is about moving beyond the design of strategies toward implementation in practice. It is about creating a strategic platform for countries in West and North Africa to come together, share their experiences, learn from one another, and identify practical solutions to complex challenges, turning challenges into opportunities”.

Representing the Government of Togo, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Economy and Strategic Intelligence, Mr. Mensah Koffi Vinyo, highlighted the importance of the meeting, stating that: “The work planned for this workshop is of paramount importance. The AfCFTA constitutes a strategic response for strengthening the resilience of our continent.”

The workshop reflects the shared commitment of African countries and partners to transform the promise of the AfCFTA into concrete results for economies, businesses and citizens across the continent.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org