Addis Ababa, November 21, 2025 — The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is rapidly positioning itself as a transformative force for intra-African trade, agricultural growth, and global market competitiveness, according to Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) Executive Director Gerald Masila.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Masila emphasized AfCFTA’s potential to unlock new trade corridors for grains, pulses, and oilseeds by making cross-border transactions easier, cheaper, and more predictable. He noted that this shift is vital for strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing food security across the continent.

Kenya, he said, remains the primary destination for Ethiopian pulses, currently absorbing nearly 70 percent of Ethiopia’s regional exports. With AfCFTA’s preferential tariff structures, this volume is expected to rise significantly, further formalizing trade flows and boosting government revenues while reducing costs for businesses.

Masila also highlighted the competitive edge Ethiopian soybeans are gaining under the agreement. Lower tariffs are making them more affordable across regional markets, which in turn reduces the cost of animal feed and bolsters livestock value chains, including dairy, poultry, goat, and piggery sectors.
“AfCFTA cooperation opens the door for Ethiopian producers and exporters to reach wider global markets through regional port infrastructure,” Masila said. “This is a significant win for the country’s agricultural exporters.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ilyasu Ishak, Secretary of Nigeria’s National Sesame Seeds Association, underscored Ethiopia’s strategic importance in Africa’s agricultural economy. With over 350,000 metric tons of pulses exported annually, Ethiopia remains the continent’s top exporter in this category. Ishak noted that this capacity positions Ethiopia as a key player under AfCFTA, with strong potential to expand its regional and global market footprint.

AfCFTA, which connects Africa’s 1.4 billion people into one of the world’s largest single markets, is already driving intra-regional trade. Ishak emphasized that the agreement is not only enhancing trade flows but also stimulating rural development, encouraging value addition, and reinforcing supply chains across the continent.

“With AfCFTA’s preferential tariffs and improved regulatory harmonization, cross-border trade is expected to grow even further,” he said, adding that the agreement offers a robust platform for job creation and business expansion for producers, processors, and exporters alike.