African Continental Free Trade Area: Experts reflect on trade agreement as tool for economic freedom.

This was during a recent roundtable discussion organised by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute, CEPI, of the Henri Kouam Foundation. The event in Yaounde, brought together some 50 entrepreneurs, policymakers, and trade experts. It was placed under the theme: “The AfCFTA as a lever for free markets”. 

Moderated by the Executive Director of CEPI, Henri Kouam, the panel featured speakers from diverse sectors of the economy, notably Abena Atsana Jolyana, Assistant Head of Research at the Ministry of Trade; Okala Mengue Bruno of the Ministry of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Wanah Immanuel Bumakor of Amani Transformational Services and Paule Sikombe of P&P Fisheries. 

The panel discussion centred on the foundational principles of free markets and the mechanisms through which the AfCFTA promotes economic freedom, including its protocols on goods, services and investment. 

Panelists also outlined the export procedures available to Cameroonian businesses under the Guided Trade Initiative, GTI, and highlighted the opportunities these create for SMEs willing to move beyond the domestic market.

In his introductory remarks, Henri Kouam explained that since the signing of the AfCFTA treaty in 2018, the trade agreement has moved from commitment to early implementation with countries trading under the Guided Trade Initiative, GTI, as a first proof of concept. 

He further mentioned that when GIG Afatex became the first company in Cameroon to export under the AfCFTA’s preferential terms, sending dried safou fruits commonly called plum and ginger to Ghana in October 2022, sends a signal that the agreement is not merely aspirational. 

“Market-friendly reforms have already followed, including lowering value-added taxes (VATs) for locally-made flour, the digitisation of parts of customs declaration, harmonization of the ECCAS-CEMAC customs code and a reduction in import duties for renewable energy equipment alongside lower VAT for locally made flour,” he said.

Entrepreneur, Sikombe, noted that the lack of information, access to finance and the limited technical capacity of SMEs make it challenging to participate in the AfCFTA. She also noted that very few micro and SMEs are aware of the AfCFTA. 

The Founder and Managing Partner of Amani Transformation Services, Wanah Immanuel Bumakor, hammered on the private sector development dimension and the role of entrepreneurship in making trade work at the grassroots level. 

Wanah called for reforms that lower taxes and make it easier for businesses to operate. During discussions that ensued, the speakers acknowledged that awareness remains critically low among entrepreneurs, particularly regarding rules of origin and standard export procedures. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3891 of Thursday August 27, 2026