The Ad-hoc Committee of the AfCFTA GTI hosted A 2-day session with various stakeholders to design an inclusive path towards a better implementation of the agreement.

On 21 March 2025, the AfCFTA Ad Hoc Committee charged with the implementation of the Guided Trade Initiative in Cameroon hosted an enlarged meeting chaired by Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda, Chairman of the Committee, at the training hall of the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNSC) head office building in Douala.

The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Cham Etienne Bama, Coordinator of the AfCFTA GTI for Cameroon and  Technical Adviser No. 1 at the CNSC, and saw the participation of a host of local SMEs, as well as Committee members such as the Port Authority of Kribi, SME Promotion Agency, Chamber of Commerce, Port Authority of Douala, Single Window for Foreign Trade Operations (GUCE) and others. It offered an opportunity for sector players to not only make known their difficulties such as lack of information, limited production capacity, payment systems, but also to learn about the intricacies of “Rules of Origin” and “tariffs phase out”; two key components of the free trade agreement.

Another keen participant at the meeting was the Executive Director of the Trade Law Centre (TRALAC), Mrs. Trudi Hartzenberg, who is on a two-day assessment mission on AfCFTA implementation in Cameroon. She applauded the efforts made by the government given the success stories she heard and their commitment to making it a reality. She equally reassured the audience of TRALAC’s willingness to expedite the process through a support package that includes Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.

This meeting also served as a scouting mission for Women and Youth led businesses as well as SMMEs with potential for export under the AfCFTA preferential regime.