The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) on Thursday successfully hosted the first quarter AfCFTA National Implementation Committee (NIC) 2025 Meeting, at Metzy Hotel.
The event gathered key government officials, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss the progress and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement in The Gambia. This meeting was a crucial step in advancing The Gambia’s commitment to fostering economic integration and promoting intra-African trade, aligning with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Mod A.K. Secka, the permanent secretary of MoTIE said that this gathering marks a significant milestone in our national journey towards realizing the full potential of the AfCFTA. As a nation, he said, The Gambia has always been a firm advocate for regional and continental integration, thus he reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ensuring the continuous implementation of AfCFTA in the country.
According to him, the AfCFTA represents the most ambitious trade initiative on the African continent, with the potential to create the largest single market in the world, comprising of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion. For The Gambia, he added, a small but open and strategically positioned economy, this agreement presents a unique opportunity to expand our market access, boost industrialization, attract investment, and enhance job creation.
“Since The Gambia ratified the AfCFTA Agreement, we have made significant strides in creating an enabling environment for its effective implementation. The Government, through my Ministry, has developed a comprehensive National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. The Strategy is the national strategic framework for the implementation of the AfCFTA in The Gambia and it identifies priority actions that will be undertaken by the Government over a 10-year period from 2020 to 2030 to effectively realize the potential benefits of the AfCFTA to The Gambia,” PS Secka stated, noting that the strategy outlines priority sectors, key interventions, and capacity-building measures that are designed to enhance The Gambia’s competitiveness, employment, and business opportunities in the continental market. Embedded in the strategy is the creation of this committee, the National Implementation Committee.
“Our commitment to AfCFTA must go beyond words and policies—it must translate into real economic transformation for The Gambia. The work of this Committee will be pivotal in ensuring that The Gambia is not just a participant in AfCFTA but a competitive player that fully harnesses the opportunities of a continental liberalized African market,” the Trade PS said.
He called on government ministries, departments and agencies, private sector leaders, and civil society—to actively engage in this process. We must work together to eliminate barriers, enhance productivity, and position Gambian businesses to thrive in the continental market.
The AfCFTA, according to him, is more than just a trade agreement; it is a vision for an integrated and prosperous Africa. Therefore, he affirmed that it is their collective responsibility to ensure that The Gambia plays an active role in this historic transformation.
