Biashara Afrika
What Is Biashara Afrika?
Biashara Afrika is the official business forum of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), organized by the AfCFTA Secretariat. The term “Biashara” means “trade” in Swahili, reflecting the forum’s focus on promoting intra-African trade. This annual event serves as a platform for:
Private sector engagement: Bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Policy dialogue: Facilitating discussions between policymakers and stakeholders.
Networking and collaboration: Encouraging partnerships across various sectors and regions.
The 2023 AfCFTA Business Forum was held from April 16–18 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre under the theme “Acceleration of Implementation of the AfCFTA.” It brought together over 1,000 delegates from 63+ countries, including heads of state, CEOs, SMEs, and development partners. Organized with support from the AfCFTA Secretariat, UNECA, and the International Trade Centre, the forum featured pre-events, panel discussions on private sector engagement, and strong focus on inclusive trade, particularly through the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
