Experts call for accelerated action to make AfCFTA trade and investment more inclusive in Eastern Africa

Kigali, Rwanda, 16 September 2026 - The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA), convened an online Expert Group Workshop on"Advancing Inclusive Trade and Investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)", bringing together policymakers, regional organizations, researchers, youth Organizations, young Entrepreneurs as well as private sector stakeholders from across Eastern Africa.

Discussions focused on regional trade and investment performance, implementation of the AfCFTA Protocols on Investment, Digital Trade, and Women and Youth in Trade, as well as opportunities and challenges related to gender inclusion and digital trade. Participants also explored priority actions needed to accelerate inclusive growth across the region.

"Eastern Africa has strong foundations on which to build a more inclusive trading system, but translating the AfCFTA's commitments into tangible benefits for women, youth and small businesses will require sustained action at both national and regional levels", said Andrew Mold, Director of ECA in Eastern Africa.

Building on this, Atkeyelsh Persson, Chief of the Regional Integration and AfCFTA Section at ECA in Eastern Africa, emphasized the importance of identifying clear priorities across trade, investment, gender inclusion and digital trade. She noted that these areas are closely interconnected and that progress across them will be essential to ensuring coherent and effective implementation of the AfCFTA across the sub-region.

Presenting the overview of trade and investment trends in Eastern Africa, Rodgers Mukwaya, ECA's Economic Affairs Officer noted that the region continues to demonstrate resilience despite ongoing global economic uncertainties "Intra-regional trade remains one of the region's strongest assets. However, rising dependence on commodity exports highlights the urgent need for economic diversification and greater value addition to ensure sustainable growth under the AfCFTA," said Mukwaya.

He highlighted that Africa attracted approximately US$70 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, whileFDI inflows into Eastern Africa increased by 12 percent, making the region one of the continent's leading investment destinations. He also emphasized the growing importance of intra-African investment, with Kenyan firms emerging as major investors across the continent.

Addressing gender and digital trade, Elena Acebes, Associate Economic Affairs Officer at ECA, underscored the need to bridge persistent digital and financial inclusion gaps affecting women entrepreneurs.

"Women account for up to 70 to 80 percent of informal cross-border traders in many African trade corridors. Yet only 31 percent of women in Africa use the internet, compared with 40 percent of men, and women in Sub-Saharan Africa remain significantly less likely to own financial accounts or access digital services," she said.

Acebes noted that digitalization offers significant opportunities for women traders through e-commerce, mobile payments and paperless trade systems. She further highlighted the role of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which now connects more than 30 African countries and reduces payment times from several days to just seconds while lowering transaction costs by over 90 percent.

Participants from several countries shared national perspectives. Representatives from Djibouti highlighted the growing use of e-commerce and digital payments by women entrepreneurs, while participants from Comoros, Seychelles and Madagascar stressed the need for stronger digital infrastructure, better data on women-led businesses, improved logistics connectivity and targeted support for small island developing States.

The workshop concluded with a call for faster implementation of AfCFTA protocols, greater investment in digital infrastructure and skills, enhanced support for women and youth entrepreneurs, and stronger regional cooperation to ensure that the benefits of continental integration are shared more broadly and equitably across Eastern Africa.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
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Addis Ababa
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