During the opening of Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council, urged African nations and business leaders to move beyond declarations and turn the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into tangible benefits for citizens.

The annual forum, jointly hosted by the Togolese government and the AfCFTA Secretariat, brought together institutional leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners from across the continent. Gnassingbé emphasized that the era of ambitious visions must now give way to concrete actions that deliver measurable results for African communities.

« The time for vision has passed; now is the time for impact, » he stated during a keynote address focused on economic action and regional integration. He highlighted that Africa now possesses the essential building blocks for success: a vast consumer market, abundant strategic resources, a youthful and enterprising population, and a unified legal framework under the AfCFTA.

The forum served as a strategic platform to accelerate intra-African trade, deepen regional value chains, and strengthen economic cooperation. Key priorities, according to Gnassingbé, include streamlining public policies, mobilizing large-scale investments, and removing trade barriers that hinder seamless commerce.

He positioned Togo as a frontrunner in continental economic integration, citing its modern logistics infrastructure—particularly the deep-water port of Lomé—and ongoing business climate reforms aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and empowering local enterprises.

Yet, challenges persist. Persistent non-tariff barriers, underdeveloped transport networks, limited access to financing, and the marginal participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in cross-border trade continue to impede progress toward full economic integration.

Biashara Afrika 2026 provided a vital space for stakeholders to forge new partnerships, mobilize capital, and develop actionable solutions. The goal is clear: unlock Africa’s economic potential and channel it into inclusive, sustainable growth for all.