Afreximbank launches third AfCFTA training programme to boost African firms’ trade capacity
The programme is designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and practical expertise required to navigate and succeed within Africa’s evolving intra-African trade landscape
KAMPALA, April 23, 2026 — African corporates will have a unique opportunity to learn how to fully maximise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area [ AfCFTA ] when the third edition of the AfCFTA Training Programme takes place in Cairo, Egypt, from June 16-18, 2026.
Developed and led by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the American University in Cairo [AUC] and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the programme is designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and practical expertise required to navigate and succeed within Africa’s evolving intra-African trade landscape.
While the AfCFTA holds significant potential to drive economic development across the continent, limited understanding of its technical provisions and practical application continues to hinder the full realisation of its benefits. The programme aims to provide businesses with practical, actionable insights into identifying and capitalising on trade opportunities, managing export and import operations, and navigating trade finance, supply chains and the broader international trading environment.
It will also offer a clearer understanding of how the AfCFTA framework addresses capacity constraints and expands market access for producers of goods and services across Africa.
By translating the AfCFTA’s legal and treaty provisions into business-ready strategies, the programme seeks to clarify the regulatory, operational and market requirements necessary for companies to fully leverage opportunities within the rapidly expanding continental market.
As the African Union’s key strategic partner in implementing the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has spearheaded multiple initiatives to advance both intra- and extra-African trade and investment, with training programmes playing a central role in capacity building.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank, described it as “a strategic platform for advancing the adoption and deepening understanding of the AfCFTA among key stakeholders, particularly corporates within the broader private sector ecosystem”.
He added that the programme “reinforces the Bank’s commitment to equipping businesses with the insights and capabilities required to effectively leverage opportunities under the Agreement”.
“I have full confidence that participants in this training will leave with a holistic understanding of the AfCFTA, its genesis and dimensions, enabling them to assess the outcomes of ongoing negotiations and examine the challenges and opportunities that underpin the agreement,” Dr Kale said.
“They will also be able to explore the prospects of the AfCFTA and capitalise on the agreement while supporting its objectives for the benefit of their organisations and the continent.”
Mohamed Ali, Director of Trade in Goods and Competition at the AfCFTA Secretariat, said: “This programme represents a critical step towards unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade through targeted capacity building and strategic partnerships.
“Our collaboration with Afreximbank reflects a shared commitment to equipping African businesses with the practical knowledge, tools and institutional support required to effectively utilise the Agreement.”
Stephen Tio Kauma, Managing Director for Human Resources at Afreximbank, said the programme, delivered through the Afreximbank Academy [AFRACAD], underscores the Bank’s commitment to strengthening trade capacity across the continent.
“AFRACAD continues to serve as a leading trade knowledge hub, empowering participants to compete and thrive in Africa’s single market,” he said.
“Through strong partnerships and an innovative learning approach, we are enabling businesses across Global Africa to scale, innovate and play a leading role in the continent’s economic transformation.”
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