Minister of Trade takes part in 18th Ordinary Session of AfCFTA Trade Ministers Council

Abuja (Nigeria), 1 July, 2026 (SPS) – The Minister of Trade, Mr. Salek Laabid, participated Tuesday, in the 18th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), held in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, with the participation of trade ministers and representatives of the African Union member states.

The session discussed issues related to strengthening the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, including the report of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, the follow-up to decisions adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the status of ratification of the Agreement's legal instruments, reports from the specialized technical committees, dispute settlement mechanisms, and a range of measures aimed at accelerating economic and trade integration among African countries.

On the sidelines of the session, the Minister held talks with the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Mr. Wamkele Mene. The two sides exchanged views on ways to enhance the participation of the Sahrawi Republic in the various structures and mechanisms of the AfCFTA and reviewed the latest developments in the implementation of the Agreement, as well as future prospects for advancing continental economic integration.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Republic to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Salem Bousif, along with Mr. Sidi Adda Ibrahim, a member of the Sahrawi Technical Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

During his participation, the Sahrawi Minister reaffirmed the Sahrawi Republic's commitment to maintaining its active engagement in the African economic integration process and to supporting efforts aimed at building a unified African market based on the promotion of intra-African trade, the encouragement of investment, and the achievement of sustainable development in the interests of the peoples of the continent.