Written by: Badr Ahmed

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Dr. Amon Murwera, arrived in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Monday, leading an official delegation to participate in the 18th meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), scheduled to be held on June 30, 2026.

Africa is reconsidering the future of the world's largest free trade area.

The meeting comes at a time when African countries are seeking to accelerate the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which is the world’s largest trading bloc in terms of the number of participating countries, and a key pillar for strengthening economic integration among the countries of the continent.

During the ministerial session, the ministers are expected to discuss the report of senior officials concerned with trade, in addition to reviewing the most prominent strategic issues related to the implementation of the agreement, including the rapid developments in global trade policies and their implications for African trade, industrialization efforts, and the path of regional economic integration.

The discussions will also address the challenges and opportunities facing member states in light of global economic transformations, with a focus on ways to enhance intra-African trade, remove obstacles to the movement of goods and services, and expand investments within the continent.

Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to supporting regional economic integration efforts and working with member states to successfully implement the Continental Free Trade Area agreement, as a key driver for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Harari believes the agreement represents a strategic opportunity to boost intra-African trade, diversify national economies, and support industrial development, thereby contributing to the creation of new jobs and the achievement of sustainable development across the continent.

The meeting is of particular importance in light of the challenges facing the global economy, as ministers seek to formulate common positions that enhance Africa’s ability to deal with international trade changes and benefit from the unified African market, which includes more than one billion people, in a way that supports economic development goals and strengthens the continent’s position in the global trade system.