Tunis: Tunisia has a unique opportunity to diversify its export markets across Africa, building on its experience under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its strong trade links with Europe, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Wamkele Mene said on Friday. Speaking at a press briefing at the conclusion of a working visit to Tunisia, Mene emphasized the aim of strengthening cooperation, partnership, and collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Tunisian government, while also engaging the private sector, which he described as critical to the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Agreement.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, discussions with government officials and private sector representatives over the past day and a half had been fruitful, exploring opportunities available under the AfCFTA as well as challenges facing businesses seeking to expand across African markets. Mene highlighted that Tunisia was among the first countries to sign and ratify the AfCFTA agreement in 2020 and one of seven countries that participated in the Guided Trade Initiative pilot programme launched in 2023. Through this initiative, valuable lessons on intra-African trade, its challenges, and opportunities were learned, benefiting both the Tunisian government and the Secretariat.
Mene stressed the need to expand on the experience gained through the Guided Trade Initiative by engaging more deeply with the Tunisian private sector. Noting that over 66% of Tunisia's exports are directed to the European Union, he pointed out the opportunity to further diversify exports toward other African markets, including West Africa. He affirmed the importance of working with the private sector to ensure that the economy and export base are sufficiently diversified.
In his discussions with business representatives, Mene focused on several instruments designed to facilitate market access for companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. He highlighted the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established with Afreximbank, which has already been capitalized and made its first disbursement. Additionally, he mentioned the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a digital platform that allows payments in local currencies without the need for a third currency, potentially reducing transaction costs by up to 90% and enabling instantaneous payments across the continent.
Mene also cited digital platforms developed under the AfCFTA's trade digitisation initiative since 2020, aimed at improving business connectivity and providing market intelligence. However, he acknowledged several challenges affecting trade across Africa, such as high transport and logistics costs, an annual infrastructure deficit estimated at USD 150 billion, and the high cost of trade finance. These constraints particularly impact small and medium-sized enterprises and young entrepreneurs seeking access to African markets, necessitating joint efforts by governments, the private sector, and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Mene expressed optimism about Tunisia's potential beyond COMESA, noting its success within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. He announced that the AfCFTA Secretariat and Tunisian authorities had agreed to develop a joint action plan with the Ministries of Trade and Foreign Affairs, focusing on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, transport and logistics collaboration, development of trade corridors, private sector engagement, and awareness-raising activities. This action plan aims to enhance trade and investment opportunities for Tunisia across the African continent.
Mene noted that this was his fourth visit to Tunisia since his election in 2020 and announced plans to return later this month for the Tunisia Investment Forum and again in December for a Tunisia-Africa business forum. These visits are intended to maintain the momentum of cooperation between the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Tunisian government, and the private sector as the agreement's implementation advances.
AfCFTA's Wamkele Mene is currently on a working visit to Tunisia from June 10 to 13 at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti. During the visit, he held talks with senior Tunisian officials and private sector representatives, including Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti. Discussions centered on advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA, enhancing intra-African trade and investment, and strengthening cooperation through a joint action plan focusing on trade facilitation, logistics, and private sector engagement.