Somalia has officially become the 50th State Party to the African Continental Free Trade Area, completing a series of protocol steps needed to be part of the commercial framework. The country's formal membership was confirmed this week after Mogadishu deposited its instrument of ratification at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 4.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene announced Somalia's membership at the official opening of the 26th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe. Mene congratulated Somalia on becoming the 50th state party to the AfCFTA, which strengthens Comesa's contribution to continental trade.
Somalia's participation in the AfCFTA grants its businesses and investors preferential access to a continental market of over 1.4 billion consumers. The agreement aims to boost intra-African trade by lowering trade barriers and establishing a unified framework for the seamless movement of goods and services across the continent.
A total of 54 members of the African Union have signed the AfCFTA agreement, with 50 members having ratified it. Somalia's membership adds momentum to the collective effort to deepen regional value chains, expand trade, and build a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
Somalia's Minister for Commerce and Industry, Gamal Mohamed Hassan, submitted the instrument of ratification in September following its approval by Parliament and presidential assent from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Hassan stated that Somalia's participation in the AfCFTA will create greater opportunities for local enterprises to access continental markets, attract foreign investment, and diversify exports.
The Somali government views the agreement as a platform to accelerate industrialisation, attract investment, and drive economic growth. The ministry will work closely with the private sector to maximise opportunities arising from membership. The next priorities include aligning Somalia's tariff schedules with AfCFTA commitments and conducting nationwide outreach to help businesses prepare for implementation.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has welcomed Somalia and looks forward to supporting the country as it advances domestic implementation and creates opportunities for the Somali private sector to participate effectively in intra-African trade. Somalia is a member of the East African Community and Comesa, both of which serve as main anchors for an effective AfCFTA.
Key points
- Somalia has officially become the 50th member of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
- The agreement grants Somali businesses and investors preferential access to a continental market of over 1.4 billion consumers.
- Somalia's membership adds momentum to the collective effort to deepen regional value chains, expand trade, and build a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
