Somalia, 20 October 2025 — Somalia’s House of the People has officially ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, marking a major step toward the country’s integration into Africa’s single market system.
The ratification, held during Monday’s parliamentary session, passed with 145 votes in favor, one vote against, and none abstaining — according to the Speaker of Parliament.
The AfCFTA aims to create a unified market for goods and services across Africa, fostering regional trade, investment, innovation, and the free movement of people.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which tabled the motion, the agreement will allow Somalia access to a continental market of over 1.4 billion consumers and create opportunities for new institutions to support trade, export diversification, and private sector growth.
“This agreement holds great significance for us,” said Abdirizaq Hassan Yusuf, Director of the Department of Trade at the Ministry. “It will help us better understand cross-border trade and make it easier for Somalia to trade with other African countries. Institutions that do not currently exist in our country will be established.”
Article 6 of the AfCFTA outlines the agreement’s scope, focusing on trade in goods, services, investment, intellectual property rights, and competition policy. Article 9 further stipulates that member states cannot impose customs duties on intra-African trade, while each country must ensure exported goods are not sold below domestic market value after taxes.