ECA, AFCFTA SECRETARIAT PARTNER TO BOOST AFRICA’S TRADE

MBABANE – In a move set to drive deeper trade integration across Africa, ECA and the AfCFTA Secretariat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU is meant to enhance collaboration in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA. ECA refers to the Economic Commission for Africa. Eswatini is actively participating in the AfCFTA and collaborates closely with the United Nations ECA to implement its national AfCFTA strategy, aiming to boost trade and investment opportunities within the continent by diversifying export markets and promoting economic growth within the country.

The agreement, signed on February 17, 2025, at the Africa Business Forum (ABF 2025) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aims to eliminate trade barriers, boost industrialisation and create more opportunities for African businesses—including those in Eswatini. With AfCFTA envisioned as the world’s largest free trade area, covering 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion, Eswatini stands to benefit significantly from improved market access, regional value chains and private sector development.

Opportunities

For Eswatini, a small but strategically located economy, the AfCFTA presents vast opportunities to expand trade beyond the Southern African region. The country has long relied on trade partnerships within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), but AfCFTA will provide even broader market access. Speaking on the significance of the partnership, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete said: “The implementation of AfCFTA is a transformative opportunity for Africa, but its success depends on strong institutional partnerships. This MoU solidifies our commitment to working with the AfCFTA Secretariat to drive trade integration, enhance market access and support Africa’s economic development.”

Similarly, AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene noted that the agreement would help accelerate AfCFTA’s operationalisation by leveraging ECA’s expertise in trade policy and economic modeling. Eswatini’s key exports—such as sugar, textiles and processed food products—stand to gain from reduced tariffs and improved trade facilitation.

Markets

The private sector, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will also benefit from expanded regional markets and new supply chain linkages.
Moreover, the focus on Customs and transit system improvements is expected to reduce logistical bottlenecks, making it easier for Eswatini’s businesses to export goods efficiently.

As the AfCFTA continues to take shape, local businesses are encouraged to explore new markets, adapt to continental trade standards and leverage capacity-building initiatives offered under this new ECA-AfCFTA partnership. With Africa’s single market becoming a reality, Eswatini is poised to tap into new economic opportunities, creating jobs and strengthening its position in the regional and continental trade landscape.

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