Monday, 25 May 2026
Cairo hosts Fourth African trade ministers’ retreat to advance continental economic integration
African trade took a significant step forward today as Egypt hosted the fourth ministerial retreat for African trade ministers, aimed at deepening economic integration across the continent.
The meeting, led by Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, brought together ministers and senior officials from member states, as well as Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his opening address, Minister El-Khatib highlighted Africa’s rich history, youthful population, and abundant resources, underscoring a strong political will for economic unity. He described the retreat as a strategic milestone to transform these strengths into a unified, globally competitive economy.
The discussions focused on navigating global geopolitical and economic changes, accelerating the completion of a unified African market for goods and services, and resolving pending issues such as rules of origin, which are essential for industrial integration and strengthening value chains within Africa. The minister also emphasized the crucial role of digital transformation and electronic payments in facilitating intra-African trade and attracting investment.
Reaffirming Egypt’s commitment as chair of the AfCFTA ministerial council, El-Khatib stated that Egypt will continue leveraging its expertise to support Africa’s economic integration. “Africa’s economic unity is the key to meeting challenges and building a more stable and prosperous future for all,” he said.
Minister El-Khatib concluded with optimism, expressing confidence that the retreat would yield tangible steps towards fast-tracking the AfCFTA, helping transform Africa into a dynamic and influential global economic force. “Today’s achievements will add a new chapter to the journey of building a single African market that lives up to the aspirations of its people,” he affirmed.