New Continental Leadership to Accelerate Intra-African Trade, Investment, Industrialization and AfCFTA Implementation
In ALAMEIN, EGYPT Dr. Amany Asfour has been re-elected President of the Africa Business Council (AfBC) for a second term, reaffirming the confidence of Africa’s private sector leadership in her vision to advance continental economic integration, industrialization, investment, and intra-African trade.
The re-election took place during the Africa Business Council General Assembly, convened in Alamein, Egypt, on the margins of the Africa Business Council High-Level Private Sector Forum, the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit, and the Alamein Africa Business Summit.
The General Assembly also elected four Vice Presidents, bringing together distinguished business leaders from across Africa’s regional and sectoral private sector institutions:
- Mr. James Chimwaza — Immediate Past President, COMESA Business Council (CBC).
- Mr. Migan Casmir — Vice President, Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI).
- Mr. Charles Kahuthu — Chief Executive Officer, East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
- Eng. Mansour Ahmed — President, Pan African Manufacturers Association (PAMA).
The newly elected leadership will strengthen AfBC’s continental representation and its advocacy for policies that promote business competitiveness, regional integration, industrial development, and cross-border investment.
A United Voice for Africa’s Private Sector
Established pursuant to an African Union Assembly decision, the Africa Business Council serves as the continental voice of the African private sector, representing businesses of all sizes, including large corporates, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women entrepreneurs, and youth-led enterprises. AfBC provides a platform for private sector engagement with African policymakers, advancing trade facilitation, investment partnerships, industrialization, and an enabling business environment.
The Council is guided by its founding vision:
“A Competitive, Innovative, and Borderless Africa for Trade, Investment, and Industrialization.”
Advancing Africa’s Economic Transformation
Dr. Amany Asfour emphasized the importance of translating Africa’s economic integration ambitions into tangible opportunities for African businesses:
“I am deeply honored by the renewed confidence entrusted to me to serve a second term as President of the Africa Business Council.
Our mission is clear: to build a competitive, innovative, and borderless Africa where African businesses lead the continent’s economic transformation.
The African Continental Free Trade Area presents a historic opportunity to unlock Africa’s economic potential. We must accelerate intra-African trade, strengthen regional value chains, promote industrialization and value addition, and empower SMEs, women, and youth entrepreneurs.
Africa must move from being predominantly an exporter of raw materials to becoming a global powerhouse for manufacturing, trade, investment, and innovation. and creating sustainable economic opportunities for our people creating wealth for our continent, transforming Africa’s raw materials into a Made in Africa product that is value added, industrialized, competitive, high quality and certified.
Together, we will advance One Africa, One Market, and One Prosperous Future.”
Strengthening Partnerships for Agenda 2063
Under its renewed leadership, AfBC will continue cooperation with the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities, business councils, chambers of commerce, manufacturers’ associations, and development partners.
Its priorities include accelerating AfCFTA implementation, removing barriers to intra-African trade, mobilizing investment, strengthening African industrial value chains, and expanding opportunities for SMEs, women, and youth.
The new leadership reaffirms AfBC’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning Africa’s private sector as a driving force for sustainable growth, job creation, economic integration, and shared prosperity.
about the Africa Business Council
The Africa Business Council (AfBC) is a continental private sector institution established in line with an African Union Assembly decision to strengthen private sector participation in Africa’s economic integration. AfBC advocates for African business interests, promotes intra-African trade and investment, facilitates business partnerships, and supports implementation of the AfCFTA.
Its vision is a competitive, innovative, and borderless Africa for trade, investment, and industrialization.
read more
