LOME, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of Biashara Afrika opened on Monday in Lome, the Togolese capital, with a focus on promoting intra-African trade and strengthening the continent's economic integration.
Held under the theme "Powering Africa's Economic Transformation through the AfCFTA," the three-day event has brought together African ministers, business leaders, financial institutions, investors and development partners.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Togolese President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbe said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gradually entering "a new phase."
"African economic integration is no longer a distant aspiration; it is now becoming a historic necessity," he said.
He stressed that Biashara, which means trade in Swahili, is not intended to be just another discussion forum, but rather a platform for solutions, partnerships and the practical implementation of African integration.
"African integration is becoming a strategic imperative in a more fragmented and uncertain world," he said.
According to Gnassingbe, the international environment is undergoing profound changes, marked by intensifying geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism, the restructuring of global supply chains, and the strengthening of major regional blocs' industrial policies and economic sovereignty mechanisms.
He noted that in this new environment, no African economy alone has sufficient critical mass to sustainably defend its interests, adding that "Africa must therefore strengthen its collective resilience."
Discussions during this year's forum will focus on enhancing the role of high-potential African enterprises in industrialization and the development of regional value chains, accelerating trade, addressing infrastructure challenges, promoting digital trade, and deepening public-private dialogue to better mobilize investment.
