AfCFTA Leverages Special Economic Zones to Drive Intra-African Trade, Investment
The inaugural Regional Conference on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), jointly organised by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti, has ended with a bold resolve to reposition SEZs as key instruments for advancing Africa’s industrialization, cross-border trade, and investment competitiveness.
Held in Djibouti from April 21 to 22, 2025, the two-day conference brought together senior policymakers, SEZ authorities, development finance institutions, private sector leaders, and international partners to realign Africa’s SEZ development strategy with AfCFTA objectives. Participants endorsed a shift from fragmented national SEZ policies to a harmonised approach that recognises goods produced in SEZs as originating under AfCFTA Rules of Origin. This new direction, they said, will support seamless trade, attract long-term investment, and unlock more resilient, interconnected African economies.
The conference also reinforced the role of Special Economic Zones as practical platforms for building resilient value chains, encouraging intra-African infrastructure investment, and expanding access to sustainable employment through strengthened public-private partnerships.
Delivering the closing remarks, Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, stressed that Africa’s current development push must be rooted in policy tools that deliver real results:
“The AfCFTA is Africa’s response to global trade fragmentation. Special Economic Zones are not just policy instruments. They are practical tools for investment, innovation and resilience. If aligned with the AfCFTA, they can unlock unprecedented growth across the continent.”
Opening the conference on behalf of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed pledged Djibouti’s commitment to supporting regional trade integration through SEZ development:
“Djibouti’s strategic location must serve Africa’s broader vision. We see Special Economic Zones as engines of opportunity. With the AfCFTA, we can transform our geography into shared prosperity.”
The sessions explored critical enablers of successful SEZ implementation — from digital infrastructure and industrial innovation to trade corridor development and financing models. Delegates also examined how AfCFTA implementation tools like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), the Adjustment Fund, and the Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) Online Mechanism could enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness within SEZs.
Djibouti’s unique position as a logistical hub between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia served as a compelling backdrop for the conference. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, underscored this symbolic importance:
“Djibouti is not only a bridge between continents. It is an example of what can be achieved when infrastructure, policy and vision work together. It sets a benchmark for the continent.”
As Africa continues to navigate a challenging global economic landscape, the Djibouti SEZ Conference affirmed the continent’s collective resolve to use AfCFTA-aligned Special Economic Zones as a lever for economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable growth.
