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

The call to action was unambiguous. During the opening of the third edition of the panafrican forum Biashara Afrika, this Monday in Lomé, Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé urged African leaders to move beyond political rhetoric and embrace tangible economic outcomes that could drive sustainable growth and deeper continental integration.

Lomé has firmly established itself as the heartbeat of pragmatic African commerce. On Monday, the Togolese capital drew decision-makers from across the continent for the 3rd edition of Biashara Afrika. Jointly organized by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the Togolese government, this high-level forum dedicated to intra-African trade and investment kicked off with a bold agenda.

The Togolese President used this platform to deliver a speech brimming with conviction, setting a decisive tone for his peers:
« The era of vision must now become the era of results. »

In his address, the Togolese leader underscored Africa’s historic opportunity to shape its economic destiny. He emphasized the continent’s collective capacity to turn political ambition into economic reality, declaring that the age of hesitation had come to an end.

Togo: a living lab for the AfCFTA’s single market

Rather than confining discussions to abstract concepts, the head of state presented Togo’s roadmap as a tangible demonstration of progress. Positioned strategically, the country is leveraging its infrastructure to emerge as a key player in the AfCFTA:

• Enhanced regional connectivity to streamline trade corridors.
• A world-class logistics hub, anchored by its deep-water port—the only one of its kind in the subregion.
• Bold structural reforms, consistently praised across the continent for improving the business climate.

Through this model, Lomé aims to prove that African economic integration can yield immediate, concrete dividends—provided political resolve aligns with the needs of economic operators.

The staggering figures of a giant—and its persistent challenges

The AfCFTA’s macroeconomic stakes are unparalleled globally. This transformative initiative seeks to unite a colossal market:

The AfCFTA in numbers

• Member states: 55 signatory countries.
• Consumer base: 1.4 billion people.
• Economic clout: a combined GDP estimated at $3.4 trillion.

Yet, this promising vision still clashes with the harsh realities of border restrictions. Biashara Afrika has taken on the mission of dismantling the bottlenecks crippling intra-African trade. Key priorities identified by participants include eliminating non-tariff barriers, addressing chronic infrastructure deficits, and easing access to financing. The forum also spotlights the need to restructure fragmented value chains and integrate Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), often sidelined in cross-border transactions.

Biashara Afrika: time to deliver on AfCFTA’s promises

« We must move from intentions to tangible outcomes, » declared a Kenyan entrepreneur at the forum, echoing Faure Gnassingbé’s appeal. A Nigerian economist added, « The AfCFTA will only gain credibility if SMEs can thrive within this single market. » These voices reflect the urgent demand from economic actors for swift, inclusive implementation.

Beyond technical discussions, Biashara Afrika embodies a broader geopolitical shift: an Africa determined to assert itself in global trade. The AfCFTA is seen as a strategic response to the challenges of globalization and international trade tensions.

The message delivered in Lomé leaves no room for delay. Africa now possesses the legal framework, natural resources, and human capital needed. For the AfCFTA, the challenge is no longer about designing the future—it’s about executing it without further delay.