Validation Workshop on Cameroon’s Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the AfCFTA | Events | United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Background

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a major opportunity to boost intra-African trade, diversify exports, strengthen regional value chains, and promote industrialization. However, the ability of many economic operators, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as women- and youth-led businesses and other vulnerable groups, to participate effectively and competitively in intra-African trade remains constrained by limited access to trade information. Simplifying trade procedures and centralizing information on the regulatory and procedural requirements applicable under the AfCFTA are therefore essential to enable these operators to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the Agreement.

Cameroon has undertaken several initiatives to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA since ratifying the Agreement in October 2019, including the development of its National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and the establishment of a National AfCFTA Implementation Committee. To further support these efforts, the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Trade, with technical support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and financial support from the Open Society Foundations, is developing a Step-by-Step Guide for Trading Goods under the AfCFTA, together with an Integrated Trade Information Portal. These tools aim to improve access to trade information, simplify procedures, and enhance understanding of the requirements and opportunities associated with trading under the AfCFTA.

In this regard, a two-day national validation workshop will be held on 26 and 27 August 2026 in Douala, Cameroon, to collectively review, enrich, and validate the draft Step-by-Step Guide and Trade Information Portal, ensuring that they effectively respond to the needs of their intended users. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to familiarize stakeholders with the use of the Trade Information Portal.

Objectives

Present the draft Step-by-Step Guide and Trade Information Portal to public and private sector stakeholders;
Gather detailed comments, proposed corrections, and practical recommendations on the content, clarity, and completeness of the two tools;
Validate the accuracy of regulatory and procedural requirements, relevant institutions, and required documentation;
Assess the usefulness and accessibility of the two tools for their primary users, particularly MSMEs, women- and youth-led businesses, and other vulnerable groups;
Strengthen stakeholders’ knowledge and capacity to use the Trade Information Portal;
Examine mechanisms for disseminating and evaluating the two tools to promote stakeholder ownership and their widespread use.

Expected Outcomes

A validated and enriched draft Step-by-Step Guide incorporating stakeholder inputs;
A clear roadmap for the finalization and dissemination of the Guide;
Stakeholders sensitized and trained on the use of the digital Trade Information Portal;
Improved knowledge of AfCFTA-related trade procedures;
Strengthened collaboration between the Government and the private sector in the implementation of the AfCFTA.

Participants

The workshop will bring together representatives from relevant ministries and public institutions, customs administrations, trade facilitation agencies, the private sector, business and professional associations, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the AfCFTA in Cameroon.