Africa is advancing its economic development agenda rapidly. Young people are demanding not just jobs but fulfilling careers that give them control over their futures. Trade has the power to make that happen, and it is up to us to connect the dots between trade policies and the real change that the continent is pursuing.

Leaders in Africa, therefore, must collaborate and put concerted efforts to guide the continent towards a one Africa future, where under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area frameworks, trade is a transformative force. Trade, often seen as a complex web of transactions, is fundamentally a vehicle of opportunity. To leverage this, TradeMark Africa is partnering with governments across the continent to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and more environmentally sustainable. The strategy is three pronged: First, by reducing the time and cost of trading across borders, countries can lower prices and make essential goods and services accessible to more people. Second, streamlined trade processes creates export opportunities for export-oriented businesses, so stimulating further investment and growth. And third, a conducive business environment catalyses the creation of jobs and empowers small and medium enterprises. This environment invites innovation, attracts investments, and builds the foundations on which nations can thrive.

To unlock Africa’s trade potential, we must embrace digital innovation.