Tunisia Aims to Accelerate Integration into African Single Market
Source: MAE
Tunisia intends to accelerate its integration into the African single market as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) enters its operational phase. This orientation was at the center of discussions held in Tunis during the visit of AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene from June 10 to 13, 2026.
Discussions and Agreements
Mene was received by Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti on Thursday and took part in a working session focused on advancing the implementation of the continental agreement and exploring cooperation prospects with Tunisia. Following the discussions, both parties agreed to develop a joint action plan. This plan will identify cooperation priorities for the coming years and strengthen monitoring of projects related to African economic integration.
Context and Objectives
This initiative comes as the AfCFTA seeks to transition from a legal framework to effective implementation. The agreement, operational since 2021, is one of the most ambitious integration projects in the world, with a market of nearly 1.3 billion consumers and a combined gross domestic product estimated at over $3.4 trillion. Despite this potential, intra-African trade remains below expected levels, hindered by high logistical costs, non-tariff barriers, and connectivity constraints.
Tunisia's Ambitions
For Tunisia, the stakes go beyond mere trade opening. The country aims to position itself as a regional platform for services, logistics, and investment between Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean, leveraging its existing port infrastructure and economic networks.
Key Discussions and Projects
Discussions also covered African logistics corridor projects and the need to strengthen coordination between the AfCFTA Secretariat and specialized institutions based in Tunisia. The goal is to support the emergence of more integrated continental value chains and enhance the competitiveness of African economies. Mene praised Tunisia's commitment to the AfCFTA implementation process, noting that the country was among the first African states to sign and ratify the agreement.
Economic Inclusion and Entrepreneurship
The visit highlighted issues related to the economic inclusion of women and youth, particularly through entrepreneurship and cross-border trade. On the sidelines of his trip, Mene visited the International Diplomatic Academy in Tunis, where he presented the progress of the continental project, its challenges, and its prospects for investment and trade in Africa.
Upcoming Events
This diplomatic sequence comes just a few weeks before the Tunis Investment Forum, scheduled for June 25-26, 2026, which is expected to focus on African integration issues.
