Africa urged to shift from vision to economic action at biashara afrika forum

The call to action was unequivocal. During the opening of the third edition of the Biashara Afrika panafrican forum in Lomé on May 18, 2026, the Chair of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, urged African leaders to move beyond political ambitions and prioritize tangible economic results to drive sustainable growth and continental integration.

Lomé has solidified its position as a hub for pragmatic African commerce. The Togolese capital hosted high-level decision-makers from across the continent for the third edition of Biashara Afrika, a flagship forum focused on intra-African trade and investment. Organized jointly by the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf) and the Togolese government, this year’s event kicked off with a clear mission: accelerating the shift from vision to execution.

Togo leads by example in the African single market

Gnassingbé seized the opportunity to present Togo’s roadmap as a model for the continent. Positioned strategically, the country is leveraging its infrastructure to become a key player in the ZLECAf:

• Enhanced regional connectivity to streamline trade corridors.
• A best-in-class logistics hub anchored by its deep-water port, unmatched in West Africa.
• Bold structural reforms consistently recognized for improving the business climate.

The Togolese approach underscores a critical truth: when political will aligns with the needs of economic operators, African economic integration can deliver immediate, measurable dividends.

The ZLECAf’s staggering potential and persistent hurdles

The macroeconomic scale of the ZLECAf is unparalleled globally. This transformative initiative aims to unite a vast market:

Key ZLECAf market metrics

• Participating countries: 55 member states.
• Consumer base: 1.4 billion people.
• Economic power: Combined GDP estimated at $3.4 trillion.

Yet this vision faces persistent challenges. The Biashara Afrika forum identified critical bottlenecks stifling intra-African trade, including non-tariff barriers, chronic infrastructure deficits, and limited access to financing. Participants also emphasized the need to restructure fragmented value chains and integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which remain sidelined in cross-border trade flows.

From intentions to concrete action: the ZLECAf’s moment of truth

« We must move from intentions to tangible results, » declared a Kenyan entrepreneur at the forum, echoing Gnassingbé’s rallying cry. A Nigerian economist added, « The ZLECAf will only gain credibility if SMEs are fully included in this single market. » These voices reflect the urgent demand from economic actors for swift, inclusive implementation.

The discussions in Lomé transcended technical debates, positioning Africa as a continent determined to assert its influence in global trade. The ZLECAf is seen as a strategic response to globalization challenges and escalating international trade tensions.

The message from Lomé leaves no room for delay. Africa now possesses the legal frameworks, natural resources, and human capital required. For the ZLECAf, the challenge is no longer about designing the future—it is about executing it today.