AfCFTA: SMEs Equipped To Access African Markets

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Central Africa have been trai­ ned with practical skills to access mar­ kets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A three-day training workshop to that effect took place in Douala from October 20 to 22, 2026. Organised under the Regional Integration and Investment Support Programme in Central Africa (PAIRIAC), with the support of the European Union and in collaboration with the Economic Community of Central Afri­ can States (ECCAS) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Com­ munity (CEMAC), the workshop seeks to help businesses translate the op­ portunities offered by the continental trade agreement into concrete export operations. One of the resource persons. Dr. Ho­ noré Justin Mondomobe. focused his session on practical challenges confronting enterprises, including ac­ cess to commercial information, prefe­ rential tariffs, rules of origin, customs documentation, non-tariff barriers, transit procedures and risks associa­ ted with regional transport corridors. During interactive sessions, partici­ pants learned how to identify poten­ tial export markets, verify applicable tariffs, establish the origin of their products and prepare the documenta­ tion required for international trade. They are also expected to develop market-entry plans and action pro­ grammes outlining practical steps to be implemented within 30 days after the training. On his part, the representative of the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council revealed challenges affecting cross- border commerce, including inade­ quate knowledge of the legal and re­ gulatory environment, illegal barriers and insufficient cooperation among stakeholders in the CEMAC zone. To a...