The 16th Meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers officially opened on Tuesday in Kinshasa with a powerful appeal from President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo for stronger continental cooperation and integration.

In his keynote address, President Tshisekedi emphasized the transformative potential of the AfCFTA in reshaping Africa’s economic future. He urged African leaders to pool resources and harmonize efforts to bring the continent’s collective aspirations to life.

“By uniting 54 nations under a common market for goods and services, facilitating the free movement of people and capital, and laying the foundation for a customs union, the AfCFTA offers a unique opportunity to transcend borders and unlock Africa’s economic potential,” Tshisekedi stated.

He noted that the pact is more than a trade agreement—it’s a strategic tool for advancing regional development. The president highlighted key benefits, including expanded market access, enhanced technology sharing, accelerated skills transfer, and the development of robust regional value chains.

“The AfCFTA provides us with strengthened access to regional markets and the opportunity to share technologies, transfer skills, and build interconnected value chains,” he added. “By working together, we can translate our shared ambitions into real improvements in the daily lives of Africans.”

To ensure the success of the continental trade agreement, President Tshisekedi called on member states to invest in cross-border infrastructure, streamline regulatory frameworks, and support local businesses in leveraging the vast continental market. He also reaffirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s commitment to the AfCFTA vision by proposing Kinshasa as a potential host city for future AfCFTA institutions and services.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the DRC’s Minister of External Trade, Julien Paluku, reiterated the country’s readiness to integrate more deeply into African markets. He highlighted national initiatives such as the DRC’s industrialization roadmap and agricultural transformation agenda, stressing the urgency of infrastructure development to drive these plans forward.

The meeting marks a critical step in advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to building a unified African economy rooted in shared prosperity and inclusive growth.