Marrakech, Morocco – The Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry of Somalia’s federal government, Mahmoud Ahmed Abdullahi Abukaate, took part in the Second African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum in Marrakech, Morocco.
The two-day event officially commenced on Thursday, December 11, with the theme “Together for the Efficient Implementation of the AfCFTA.” It gathered African trade ministers, leaders of trade and business institutions, and private sector representatives from across the continent to explore practical and coordinated strategies for advancing the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.
Throughout the forum, Abdullahi engaged in high-level bilateral discussions with senior AfCFTA officials, Morocco’s Prime Minister, the Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, as well as trade ministers from Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Djibouti. These talks emphasized strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and investment cooperation, and elevating Somalia’s role in Africa’s economic integration.
Abdullahi’s involvement highlights Somalia’s firm commitment to regional and continental trade integration, the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, and the pursuit of new trade and investment opportunities across Africa. It also demonstrates the nation’s efforts to enhance its visibility and participation within continental economic and business forums.
The AfCFTA, a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, strives to establish a single continental market for goods and services, encompassing 54 African nations with a collective GDP of over USD 3.4 trillion. The Business Forum functions as a crucial platform for advancing this strategic initiative, which is broadly recognized as vital to Africa’s long-term economic growth and sustainable development.
