AUC Chairperson calls for stronger regional integration amid trade challenges

Addis Ababa, October 9, 2025 (FMC) – At the 24th Summit of the COMESA Authority of Heads of State and Government held today in Nairobi, Kenya, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to advancing regional and continental integration through stronger collaboration among Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

Speaking at the summit, Mr. Youssouf highlighted that the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the introduction of new U.S. tariffs on African exports pose significant threats to economic growth and competitiveness across the continent.

He emphasized that these developments underscore the urgency of fully operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade and economic resilience.

The AU Commission Chairperson called on all RECs to remove persistent non-tariff barriers and implement the technical provisions necessary for seamless trade across the continent. He stressed that such measures are essential for driving structural transformation and achieving the goals outlined in Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Youssouf noted that COMESA, as part of the tripartite COMESA–EAC–SADC framework, can serve as a model of integration and a beacon guiding Africa toward a united, prosperous, and self-reliant future.