AfCFTA Secretariat and Japan discuss cooperation on trade facilitation and digital inclusion
Date: 2026-05-05
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
AfCFTA Secretariat has held discussions with a Japanese delegation to explore
areas of cooperation aimed at supporting the implementation of the African
Continental Free Trade Area.
The
delegation, led by Hiroshi Yashimoto and Nobuharu Imanishi, engaged with
officials at the Secretariat on initiatives designed to enhance trade across
the continent.
Central
to the discussions was a shared focus on trade facilitation measures and the
expansion of digital trade, particularly targeting opportunities for women and
youth. Both sides highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to
intra-African trade while leveraging digital platforms to improve market access
and participation for underserved groups.
Officials
noted that strengthening digital trade ecosystems can play a critical role in
empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women and young
people, by enabling cross-border commerce and improving access to regional and
global markets.
The
engagement also explored potential collaboration with the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as aligning AfCFTA priorities within the
broader framework of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Participants
reaffirmed their commitment to deepening partnerships and advancing practical
initiatives that support inclusive trade and economic integration across
Africa.
