The World Chambers Federation (WCF) Africa Summit 2025 has trained its focus on boosting intra-Africa trade, dismantling non-tariff barriers, accelerating digital transformation and business inclusivity targeting women and MSMEs as it kicks-off a two day summit in Nairobi.
- •The summit has convened delegates from over 70 countries to discuss strategies for fostering economic growth, innovation, and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
- •The conference will also look into ways of providing dispute resolution and business intelligence frameworks so small businesses can trade easily within the continent and across the globe.
- •It convenes in an uncertain global climate, triggered by the United States launching a new tariff driven, protectionist economic policy that is bound to disrupt global trade, among other prevailing challenges.
“We know that African businesses face financing gap of USD100 billion annually, while governments build infrastructure, as chambers of commerce we want to form trusted networks enabling trade despite physical limitations that we currently have in terms of logistics in Africa,” Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Eric Ruto said during the opening ceremony.
According to Ruto, the full implementation of the AfCFTA could increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by 159% and drive business to business spending.
Speaking at the event, President William Ruto noted that the meeting convenes at a time when world is experiencing a number of challenges including effects of post-pandemic recovery, shifting geopolitical dynamics, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and climate change.
“Accelerating our integration through the reform of the African Union — as well as our regional economic communities and mechanisms, including key institutions such as the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, and the African Union Development Agency — signals that the giant is no longer asleep. The expansion of modern transport and communication infrastructure also shows that we are preparing for a predictable and prosperous future,” he said.
“These efforts are laying the foundation for prosperity driven by investment, industrialisation, manufacturing for global markets, and trade. Already, the African Continental Free Trade Area is reshaping our economic landscape — connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 nations with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.”
He disclosed that the Kenyan government is streamlining business processes to foster a more efficient and investor-friendly environment where enterprises can thrive.
