African Continental Free Trade Area

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers of Trade Officials hosted In Botswana on 6th to 12th February 2023

The 11th Meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Council of Ministers of Trade will be hosted in Gaborone, Botswana from
11th to 12th February 2023

This Meeting will be preceded by the Senior Trade Officials meeting
from 6th – 9th February 2023 also in Gaborone, Botswana

The main theme of these meetings is to conclude outstanding issues on
Trade in Goods and to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement.

The AfCFTA meetings will be attended by approximately two hundred
(200) delegates, including African Ministers of Trade from the fifty-four
(54) African Union (AU) Member States, representatives of Regional
Economic Communities and Development Partners.

The implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement will provide the Private
Sector of Botswana with market access to the larger African market of
1.3 billion and stimulate industrial development, investment and job
creation which are in line with Botswana’s Vision 2036.

The AfCFTA, offers an opportunity to attract investment in the
manufacturing, health, mining and services sectors, through targeted
Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Agreement will support growth in
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) as well as Women and
Youth businesses.

The hosting of these meetings will provide business opportunities in Botswana for the private sector through the provisions of the following services: air and road transport; accommodation; food and retail; and banking, amongst others. Furthermore, Botswana will also have an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential with the prospect of attracting more visitors from the continent and beyond.