Africa Continent Free Trade Advocates for Greater Collaboration among Members States and Recognizes the Contributions of H. E WAMAKELE MENE. By CHiNONYEREM Igwe.

Not quite long ago Nigeria, host other ministers across the length and breadth of Minister of Trade to deliberate, in a focused and deliberate manner, on critical areas that are impeding the growth of Africa’s free trade and industrialisation across the continent.

The summit, which was well attended by African ministers of Trade and Investment, examined issues aimed at accelerating economic growth and deepening industrialisation in Africa. It also provided a platform for member states to interrogate and resolve outstanding “gray areas” in the previous agreement on free trade in Africa, while issuing a clear timeline for countries to conduct a thorough review ahead of ratification by their respective Heads of State or Government.

Addressing journalists at the close of the summit, the Committee Chairman, Sand Mba-Kalu—who is also the CEO of the International Trade and Research Centre and founder of the All African Intellectual Summit—stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a platform for Africa to leverage and rely on itself, deepen intra-African trade, and strengthen economic cooperation among African countries. He added that Africa cannot achieve its vision and continental aspirations unless it fully embraces the opportunity offered by AfCFTA.

According to him, the AfCFTA platform has, over the past seven years, been bringing Africans together under one umbrella, enabling AfCFTA stakeholders—especially the key actors in trade and business across Africa—to deliberate on how Africa can truly own what it produces and export what it manufactures. Mba-Kalu further disclosed that the AfCFTA is meant to promote trade and investment within the African continent. He expressed concern—up to a substantial extent—that Africa does not sufficiently patronise and promote its own products. He warned that such attitudes would inevitably pose significant challenges to achieving both free trade and industrialisation/business objectives in the region.

He also noted that, as the Committee Chairman of AfCFTA and Founder of the All African Intellectual Summit, he expects the Seventh edition to take place in Nairobi, Kenya later this year. He said AfCFTA would be collaborating with the Secretariat to ensure that IP protocols are mainstreamed. “This is one of the reasons for our theme: Mainstreaming International Party for Africa Trade, Industrialisation and Creating Economic Transformation,” he concluded.

In a related development, AfCFTA was urged to recognise one of Africa’s illustrious sons—His Excellency Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The Council, Management and Organising Committee of the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit is deeply honoured to present to you the All Africa Intellectual Property Leadership and Continental Integration Award in recognition of your exceptional leadership, distinguished public service, and remarkable contribution to Africa’s trade, industrialisation, and economic integration agenda.

His election by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union as Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat marked a defining moment in Africa’s integration journey. At a time when the continent required clarity, discipline, conviction and strong institution-building leadership, you accepted the responsibility of steering one of the most transformative economic initiatives in Africa’s modern history.

Under your leadership, the AfCFTA has continued its movement from aspiration to implementation, from political commitment to practical economic opportunity, and from continental vision to an operational framework capable of reshaping Africa’s trade future. Your stewardship has strengthened the confidence of African businesses, innovators, creators, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers—affirming that Africa can indeed trade more with itself, produce more for itself, and generate prosperity from within.

Your journey to this continental responsibility has been characterised by excellence, professionalism and profound technical competence. Before assuming your role as Secretary-General, you served as Chief Director for Africa Economic Relations at the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa, where you played a leading role in advancing Africa’s trade negotiations. As South Africa’s chief trade negotiator in both the AfCFTA and the Tripartite Free Trade Area negotiations, you helped lay the foundation for deeper continental and regional market integration.

Sir, "your leadership during this period was instrumental in supporting South Africa’s ratification of both the AfCFTA and the Tripartite Free Trade Area agreements. This achievement reflects not only your technical ability, but also your steadfast commitment to building the legal, institutional and policy frameworks needed for Africa’s long-term economic transformation" 

Prior to this, you served as Director for International Trade Law and Investment Law at the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa, where you provided principal legal counsel on international trade and investment law. That rich background has shaped a distinctive leadership style—one rooted in law, policy, negotiation, diplomacy and practical implementation.

H contribution to global trade governance is equally distinguished. From 2010 to 2013, you represented South Africa at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, and were elected Chairman of the WTO Committee on International Trade in Financial Services. This international experience further strengthened your standing as one of Africa’s leading voices in trade law, investment policy, financial services and economic diplomacy.

His professional journey has also included experience with Wall Street-based law firms in London and Hong Kong, demonstrating the breadth and depth of your expertise in international business, trade and investment. In addition, you have written and lectured internationally on international trade law, international investment law and international business law—contributing to knowledge, policy thinking and institutional learning across jurisdictions.

His academic preparation reflects the same depth and discipline. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law from Rhodes University in South Africa; a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy with specialisation in International Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; and a Master of Laws in Banking Law and Financial Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Your Excellency, this award is presented not only because of the offices you have held, but because of the continental significance of your work.

“You have helped advance a vision of Africa in which markets are connected, businesses are empowered, borders are transformed from barriers into bridges, and trade becomes a dependable instrument for shared prosperity. Through your leadership, the AfCFTA has evolved into a platform for industrial development, value addition, investment, innovation and regional value-chain development.”

For the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, your leadership carries particular relevance and special significance. The future of Africa’s trade will not be built on goods alone. It will be built on African ideas, brands, creativity, technology, designs, research, traditional knowledge, geographical indications, copyrights, trademarks, patents, innovation systems and other intellectual assets. The AfCFTA provides the market; intellectual property provides value, identity and protection for what Africa produces, creates and trades.

For this reason, the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit recognises your leadership as central to the future of Africa’s intellectual property, innovation, industrial and creative economy agenda. Your work has opened a pathway for intellectual property to be mainstreamed into Africa’s trade and industrial transformation—particularly through the implementation of the AfCFTA and its related protocols.

The award, therefore, stands as an endorsement of your vision, your service, and your enduring contribution to Africa’s integration agenda. It is also a call to deepen the relationship between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Africa’s intellectual property, innovation and creative economy community—advancing a continent where African creativity generates African wealth, African innovation powers African industry, and African products compete confidently across regional and global markets.

On this special occasion, the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit proudly honours you as a continental leader, institution builder, trade negotiator, legal expert, policy reformer and champion of Africa’s economic integration.

Your Excellency, we thank you for your service to Africa. We celebrate your leadership. We recognise your contribution. And we are proud to present you with the All Africa Intellectual Property Leadership and Continental Integration Award.

Responding, His Excellency thanked them for the honour bestowed upon him and pledged to do more for Africa. He further noted that the successes he recorded were made possible through the support and collaboration he received from them.