The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks its fifth anniversary, yet many African businesses still face significant barriers to cross-border trade. A small business owner named Blessing, who runs a shea butter and cosmetics workshop in Nigeria, has struggled for two years to export her products to Cameroon despite having a written order. Her experience highlights the persistent challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of implementation of the trade agreement. The AfCFTA aims to create a $3.4 trillion market, but progress remains slow.
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