The third edition of the Biashara Afrika forum has opened in Lome with renewed calls for stronger intra-African trade and deeper economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
The three-day event, held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Economic Transformation through the AfCFTA,” has brought together ministers, investors, business leaders, financial institutions and development partners from across the continent.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Faure Gnassingbe said African economic integration was entering a new phase and had become a historic necessity rather than a distant ambition. “African economic integration is no longer a distant aspiration; it is now becoming a historic necessity,” he said.
Gnassingbe noted that the forum, whose name means “trade” in Swahili, is intended to serve as a practical platform for partnerships, solutions and implementation of continental integration efforts.
He said growing geopolitical tensions, protectionism, shifting global supply chains and the rise of regional economic blocs had made African unity more urgent. “In this new environment, no African economy alone has sufficient critical mass to sustainably defend its interests,” he stated, adding that Africa must strengthen its collective resilience.
Discussions at the forum are expected to focus on accelerating regional trade, improving infrastructure, promoting digital commerce, strengthening regional value chains and enhancing public-private sector collaboration to attract investment across the continent.