Accra: Low public awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) threatens effective implementation of the continent's flagship trade agreement, a new study has found. The study discovered that average awareness of the agreement stood at 13 per cent across 38 African countries, despite widespread public support for the policy, which has been in force for about five years.
According to Ghana News Agency, the findings are contained in the third 'African Insights' report by Afrobarometer, launched in Accra under the theme: 'Beyond borders: Citizen perspectives on a shifting global order.' The report highlighted the AfCFTA's potential to boost intra-African trade, industrialisation, and employment by creating a single market linking about 1.4 billion people across 54 countries with a combined Gross Domestic Product of more than US$3.4 trillion.
The study revealed that awareness in West Africa, which hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, averaged 13 per cent, mirroring East Africa's figures. Southern Africa recorded 11 per cent awareness, North Africa five per cent and Central Africa 17 per cent. The 2026 study further observed that knowledge of the agreement remained concentrated among political and business elites, with respondents who had post-secondary education demonstrating higher awareness than less educated citizens.
Mr Niloy Banerjee, Ghana Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), described the 13 per cent awareness level as a dangerous gap between policymakers and citizens. He emphasized the need for improved communication and urged governments to demonstrate AfCFTA's efficacy by addressing customs, tariffs, visas, and currency issues. He remarked, "Farmers, manufacturers and traders need to see that trading across borders is easier and more profitable than staying in one zone, which means a lot of homework needs to be done."
Mr Banerjee highlighted that the challenges extend beyond communication, urging countries to enhance cross-border movement of goods, visa issuance, customs administration, and the removal of non-tariff barriers for the agreement to deliver its intended benefits. He expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the agreement, noting, "The European Union did not become one single market overnight. It took work, negotiations, counter negotiations."
Dr Joseph Asunka, Chief Executive Officer of Afrobarometer, pointed out the disconnect between policy implementers and citizens, which poses a threat to the successful implementation of the continental trade agreement. He urged policymakers to bridge this gap by involving citizens in discussions about the AfCFTA.
Dr Asunka encouraged African governments to strengthen collaboration to translate the AfCFTA into practical outcomes that would create opportunities for young people and businesses. He advocated for collective action in developing infrastructure such as road construction and airline industry development to support a larger market.
Ms Josephine Sanny, Director of Communications at Afrobarometer, shared additional survey findings that showed while many Africans supported expanding trade across the continent, enthusiasm waned regarding cross-border movement. She stated, "About 56 per cent of Africans support free movement within their sub-region to work or trade, while 40 per cent want governments to limit it to protect local jobs."
Ms Sanny noted that the survey interviewed between 1,200 and 2,400 adults in each of the 38 participating countries, ensuring that citizens' views informed policy decisions. She emphasized that despite the treaty's signing, implementation remained the greater task, adding, "Without awareness, infrastructure, and results, AfCFTA risks being underestimated and underused."