African leaders urge unified standards to support AfCFTA trade

African leaders and experts are emphasizing the need for regulatory harmonization to realize the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). During the 32nd African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) General Assembly in Mombasa, Kenya, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki called for the adoption of common standards and certification systems across the continent.

Kindiki warned that the current landscape of fifty-four separate regulatory silos prevents the AfCFTA from functioning as a single market. He noted that differing national requirements increase costs and complexity for businesses, as products often require repeated testing and inspection when crossing borders. He argued that for the market of 1.3 billion people to be effective, certificates must carry trust and be recognized across different markets.

As the diplomatic phase of the AfCFTA moves toward operational implementation, the focus is shifting from treaty signing to practical procedures. While nearly all 55 African Union member states have signed the agreement and 49 have ratified it, the challenge remains in creating consistent procedures at customs and borders. Progress has been noted in specific sectors, such as the automotive industry, which established rules of origin in early 2026 to facilitate duty-free trade.