Africa's Economic Future Depends on Transforming Institutional Frameworks into Concrete Opportunities
The economic future of Africa will be shaped by its ability to transform institutional frameworks such as COMESA or the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into concrete opportunities for businesses, particularly those led by women. This was the central message conveyed by Anne Guéguen in Tunis during the 7th edition of the COMFWB Trade Fair and Business Conference, held from July 1 to 3, 2026.
A New Paradigm in Economic Relations
Before an audience of African institutional and economic actors, the French diplomat emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in economic relations between Africa and its partners. "The time for asymmetric relationships is over. Africa is succeeding and needs investments to be more sovereign," she declared, echoing the new vision defended by France in terms of economic cooperation.
The Strategic Role of Tunis
Guéguen also highlighted the strategic role of Tunis in regional trade, noting that the choice of the Tunisian capital to host this edition was not coincidental. "Tunisia occupies a pivotal position between Europe, the Maghreb, and sub-Saharan Africa. It belongs to both the AfCFTA and COMESA, making it a natural hub for economic integration," she explained.
Digital Paths and Women's Entrepreneurship
The event, themed "One Market, One Future: Digital Paths," aims to strengthen intra-African trade and accelerate economic integration through digital technology and women's entrepreneurship. Guéguen welcomed this orientation, believing it fully corresponds to the transformations underway on the continent. In her speech, the ambassador emphasized two convictions:
- "Women are at the heart of the positive transformations that will strengthen growth, create jobs, and build shared prosperity."
- She also commended the commitment of actors engaged in supporting women's entrepreneurship.
Rendering Regional Mechanisms More Effective
Guéguen insisted on the need to make regional mechanisms more effective for businesses. "The challenge is not just to create institutional frameworks, but to transform them into real opportunities for market access and competitiveness," she added.
Concrete Actions: The Qawafel Project
In this context, the ambassador presented concrete actions by France in Tunisia through the Qawafel project, launched in May 2023 with the French Development Agency and Expertise France. With a budget of 3.8 million euros, this program aims to support Tunisian businesses in their internationalization and integration into African value chains. According to the data presented:
- More than 18 Tunisian support structures have been supported.
- Over 250 companies and startups have been made aware of the potential of the African market.
- Several commercial contracts have already been signed with partners from Senegal, Kenya, Mauritania, and the Congo.
Observations and Future Prospects
"What we are observing are companies that export, establish themselves, and create jobs. This shows that South-South partnerships produce concrete and sustainable results," the French diplomat emphasized. She also stressed the central role of women entrepreneurs in this dynamic. "Supporting their internationalization is not just a matter of equity, but also of economic efficiency," she affirmed, recalling their role in innovation and inclusive employment.
A Broader Framework of Cooperation
Finally, Guéguen placed this vision within a broader framework of cooperation between Europe and Africa, referencing recent commitments announced during the Africa for the World summit in Nairobi, where billions of euros in investments were mobilized for strategic sectors such as energy, digital technology, infrastructure, and agriculture. The 7th edition of the COMFWB Trade Fair thus marks, according to her, a new phase in economic relations based on co-construction, investment, and the integration of women and young people into Africa's growth dynamic.
