Côte d’Ivoire’s National Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (CN-AfCFTA CI) held its first Technical Committee meeting of 2026 on 26 February 2026, under the effective chairmanship of Mr. Ibrahim Kalil KONATÉ, Minister of Trade, Industry and Crafts. This strategic session provided an opportunity to review the progress achieved in 2025 and define priority actions to accelerate the national implementation of the AfCFTA.
A Strategic Meeting to Consolidate Achievements and Prepare the Next Steps
The first session of the year brought together the various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area in Côte d’Ivoire.
Discussions focused on two major areas:
- The review of the 2025 Annual Performance Report, aimed at assessing the results achieved, progress made, consolidated achievements, and challenges requiring particular attention;
- The review of the CN-AfCFTA CI 2026 Action Plan, which serves as an operational roadmap to strengthen awareness-raising activities, support economic stakeholders, and enhance institutional coordination around the AfCFTA.
Government Commitment to African Economic Integration
The effective participation of Minister Ibrahim Kalil KONATÉ in this meeting reflects the importance attached by the Ivorian Government to the implementation of the AfCFTA and its ownership by national stakeholders.
Through this commitment, the Government reaffirms its ambition to position the AfCFTA as a key driver of economic transformation, industrial development, and new opportunities for the Ivorian private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women entrepreneurs, and young entrepreneurs.
Strengthening Coordination for Inclusive AfCFTA Implementation
At the conclusion of the discussions, the CN-AfCFTA CI reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring effective, coherent, and inclusive coordination of the implementation of the Agreement at the national level.
This approach aims to mobilize all stakeholders to enable Ivorian businesses to better prepare for the requirements of the African continental market and fully benefit from the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Through its Technical Committee, the CN-AfCFTA CI continues to fulfil its strategic and operational coordination role, ensuring that the AfCFTA becomes a powerful tool for enhancing competitiveness, economic growth, and Côte d’Ivoire’s integration into the African market.