As the 2025 Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development nears, a key Committee of Experts has gathered at the UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa for a three-day preparatory meeting to assess Africa’s economic and social progress. The main focus of this year’s event is advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a theme aimed at proposing transformative strategic actions.
Running from March 12 to 14, this meeting reviews the state of economic development and the ongoing push toward regional integration. The expert committee will also review the work of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and provide recommendations that will be addressed during the ministerial discussions set for March 17-18.
Semereta Sewasew, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance, emphasized the importance of unlocking Africa’s economic potential, particularly through enhancing intra-African trade. The AfCFTA, she argued, is more than a legal agreement; it’s a transformative initiative that aims to strengthen the continent’s economic connections. By facilitating trade, harmonizing policies, and eliminating trade barriers, the AfCFTA intends to spur industrialization, job creation, and poverty reduction—goals critical for achieving Agenda 2063, the African Union’s blueprint for sustainable development.
Despite the ambitious goals of the AfCFTA, Sewasew acknowledged the challenges posed by infrastructure deficits, financing limitations, and the varying capacities of member states. She called on delegates to propose actionable strategies to ensure the agreement leads to tangible benefits, especially for women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of Africa’s economy. Ethiopia’s efforts to improve regional integration through investments in infrastructure, such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, were highlighted as examples of how the country is positioning itself as a key player in regional trade. Additionally, Ethiopia’s vast energy resources, particularly from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, play a critical role in regional energy cooperation.
Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA, also stressed the importance of the AfCFTA as not just a development framework but as a political platform for Africa to assert itself globally. He pointed out the continent’s heavy reliance on imports and encouraged African nations to harness their local production capabilities, particularly for products like fertilizers and refined petroleum. With intra-African trade currently accounting for only 14.4% of total trade, Pedro stressed the AfCFTA’s potential to increase trade by 45% by 2045, assuming tariffs and non-tariff barriers are reduced.
Pedro also highlighted the critical need for infrastructure investment to make the AfCFTA a reality. He estimated that about $411 billion will be required to develop the transport infrastructure—rails, vessels, and trucks—that will support the increased trade within Africa.
Zimbabwe’s outgoing Chair of the Conference of African Ministers noted significant progress made by the ECA in supporting member states on macroeconomic stability, development planning, and industrialization. He reaffirmed the commitment to continue building on these efforts and advocating for a fair global financial system, which is vital as Africa seeks to transform its economies through the AfCFTA.
The Conference serves as an essential platform for dialogue among African finance ministers, development planners, and central bank governors to address critical development issues. The discussions aim to align Africa’s financial strategies with broader economic goals and ensure cohesive progress across the continent.
Ahead of the ministerial segment, several side events will take place, focusing on critical issues such as the Single African Air Transport Market, the free movement of people, and the role of innovative financing instruments in sustainable climate finance and debt management for middle-income countries. Other events will address empowering businesses to trade successfully under the AfCFTA, food security and cross-border trade, the role of subregional multilateral development banks in advancing Africa’s development, and how the AfCFTA can create opportunities for African youth.
These side events will further enrich the discourse on how to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, aiming for inclusive growth, better employment prospects, and stronger regional integration. The Conference stands as a key opportunity for African leaders to refine strategies, overcome barriers, and pave the way for a more integrated, prosperous continent.
