East Africa: ECA calls for accelerating more inclusive trade integration under AfCFTA

Africa attracted about 70 billion dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, while flows to East Africa grew by 12 percent, making the region one of the continent's top investment destinations, said Rodgers Mukwaya, economic affairs officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), during an expert workshop held on September 16, 2026, in Kigali on inclusive trade and investment under AfCFTA. Mukwaya highlighted the rise of Kenyan companies as major continental investors while warning against a growing dependence on raw material exports. Elena Acebes, associate economist at ECA, noted that women account for 70 to 80 percent of informal cross-border traders in several African corridors, yet only 31 percent of women on the continent use the internet, compared to 40 percent of men. She cited the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which connects over 30 countries, reduces payment settlement times from days to seconds, and cuts transaction costs by more than 90 percent. Andrew Mold, ECA director for East Africa, stated that East Africa has solid foundations to build a more inclusive trading system, but this will require sustained action at national and regional levels. Representatives from Djibouti highlighted the growing use of e-commerce and digital payments by women entrepreneurs, while participants from Comoros, Seychelles, and Madagascar stressed the need for stronger digital infrastructure, better data on women-led businesses, improved logistics connectivity, and targeted support for small island developing states.