The European Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 April 2026, aimed at strengthening cooperation on intra-African trade, investment, and economic integration. The signing took place on the sidelines of the EU–Ethiopia Business Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which ran from 20 to 22 April.
Jozef Síkela, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, signed the MoU. The AfCFTA is the largest free trade area in the world by the number of participating countries, with 54 African Union member states having signed the agreement and 49 having deposited their instruments of ratification as of early 2026.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for collaboration between the EU and the AfCFTA Secretariat, based on the principles of strategic alignment and mutual benefit. The agreement enables policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coordinated engagement on trade and trade-related matters, including in regional and international forums.
Both parties committed to deepening intra-African trade and investment through open dialogue and to supporting the full implementation of the AfCFTA across the continent. The agreement also advances the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and supports a rules-based, open, and equitable multilateral trading system.
Commissioner Síkela stated at the signing: “With this MoU, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to support the economic and trade integration of the African continent under the AfCFTA to boost new investment opportunities on the continent for African and European businesses, sustainable growth, and decent jobs for African citizens.”
Secretary-General Mene highlighted the scale of EU investment in the continent: “European Union investment flows onto the African continent exceed 250 billion euros, accounting for roughly 40–50% of total FDI flows into Africa. This position is now further strengthened by the existence of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), which liberalises the investment market, liberalises the trade regime, and enables European companies to take full advantage of economies of scale.
Existing EU Support
The MoU formalises a partnership that has been underway for several years. The EU and its member states have been the primary partners of the AfCFTA since its inception. Their existing support includes the EUR 1.2 billion Team Europe Initiative (TEI), launched in 2024, which comprises over 80 actions aimed at strengthening intra-African trade, jointly funded by the EU and eight member states, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
A central element is the EU Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF), which provides technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities, AU member states, and the private sector. According to the EEAS, this facility positions the EU as the single largest partner to the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The MoU builds on the AU–EU partnership and the Joint Vision for 2030, which was reaffirmed at the 7th AU–EU Summit held in Luanda, Angola, in November 2025.
