Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé delivered a blunt message at the third edition of the Biashara Afrika forum in Lomé. On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Togolese president urged African leaders to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on measurable economic outcomes that could drive sustainable growth and deeper continental integration.
Lomé solidified its reputation as a hub for pragmatic African commerce as decision-makers from across the continent gathered for Biashara Afrika 3. Organized jointly by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the Togolese government, the high-level forum convened under a banner of decisive action. Its mission: to accelerate intra-African trade and investment through concrete solutions.
Gnassingbé used his keynote address to outline a bold vision for the continent’s economic future, declaring: “The era of vision must now become the era of execution.”
In his address, he emphasized Africa’s historic opportunity to turn political ambition into tangible economic progress, insisting that hesitation had no place in this transformative moment.
The Togolese model: a living laboratory for the AfCFTA
The Togolese leader didn’t just speak in abstract terms—he showcased his country as a case study in AfCFTA implementation. Positioned strategically, Togo is leveraging its infrastructure to become a linchpin of the free trade zone:
- A reinforced regional connectivity network to streamline trade corridors.
- A world-class logistics hub anchored by its deep-water port, the only one of its kind in West Africa.
- Bold structural reforms consistently recognized across the continent for improving business conditions.
Through this approach, Lomé aims to prove that economic integration can yield immediate and measurable benefits—provided political will aligns with the needs of businesses.
AfCFTA by the numbers: a continent of potential
The AfCFTA represents an unparalleled economic opportunity for Africa. Its scale is staggering:
AfCFTA’s market potential
- Participating nations: 55 member states.
- Consumer base: 1.4 billion people.
- Combined GDP: an estimated $3.4 trillion.
Yet even with this immense potential, real-world challenges persist. Biashara Afrika 3 zeroed in on the bottlenecks stifling intra-African trade, including:
- Eliminating non-tariff barriers that distort trade flows.
- Closing chronic infrastructure gaps that hinder movement of goods.
- Simplifying access to financing for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
- Revitalizing fragmented value chains to enhance competitiveness.
Participants underscored the urgency of integrating SMEs, which remain sidelined in cross-border trade despite their critical role in job creation and innovation.
From promises to progress: the Biashara Afrika imperative
“We’ve heard the visions—now we need results,” remarked a Kenyan entrepreneur at the forum. A Nigerian economist echoed the sentiment, stressing that the AfCFTA’s credibility hinges on its ability to include SMEs in the single market. Their remarks reflect a broader demand for swift, inclusive implementation.
Beyond technical discussions, Biashara Afrika 3 underscores a geopolitical shift: Africa’s push to strengthen its position in global trade. The AfCFTA is seen as a strategic response to the uncertainties of globalization and rising trade tensions worldwide.
The message from Lomé is unambiguous: Africa possesses the legal frameworks, natural resources, and human capital needed to succeed. The challenge now is execution—turning plans into reality without delay.
