By Abdullahi Salad. - Reporter
ADDIS ABABA (Dawan) – September 5, 2026 – Somalia has completed the formal process of joining the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement after depositing its instrument of ratification with the African Union.
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jamaal Mohamed Hassan, presented the instrument during a ceremony held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, making Somalia the 50th country to formally ratify the continental trade agreement.
The move follows the completion of Somalia’s domestic legal process, after the Federal Parliament approved the agreement and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed the ratification.
Minister Jamaal said Somalia’s entry into AfCFTA marks an important step toward deeper economic integration with the African continent.
He said the next phase will focus on preparing customs and tariff procedures, supporting Somali businesses to meet preferential trade requirements and facilitating Somalia’s first exports under the agreement.
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The Minister said AfCFTA membership will provide Somalia with greater access to African markets, support trade growth, attract investment and create new employment opportunities.
The agreement is expected to allow Somali businesses to expand into regional markets, participate in continental value chains and strengthen domestic production and exports.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will oversee implementation of the agreement by aligning national trade policies and procedures with AfCFTA requirements and supporting businesses to benefit from the opportunities created by the framework.
The Ministry has also established the AfCFTA National Coordination Office to coordinate efforts between federal institutions, federal member states, businesses and other stakeholders involved in implementing the agreement.
However, the government said Somalia’s ability to fully benefit from AfCFTA will depend on improving customs systems, strengthening product standards, facilitating trade and increasing the competitiveness of local businesses in the continental market.