Biashara Afrika Forum 2026 to Boost Intra-African Trade

The Biashara Afrika forum is scheduled to take place in Lomé, Togo, from May 18-20, 2026. This event marks a significant shift from discussions about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to actionable trade initiatives.

The forum will convene African heads of state, ministers, policymakers, SMEs, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore intra-African trade and collaboration. The theme of the summit is "Powering Africa's Economic Transformation," focusing on implementing the AfCFTA agreement, which aims to create a single market for 54 African countries, enhancing trade and investment flows.

The AfCFTA, launched in 2018 and operational since 2021, has seen 54 African Union member states sign the agreement, with 50 ratifying it. The forum will also feature speakers such as Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

Toni Elumelu, billionaire entrepreneur and chairman of the Toni Elumelu Foundation, will emphasize the role of the private sector in driving economic growth and social development across Africa.