Somalia moves from AfCFTA ratification to implementation
Somalia became the AfCFTA’s 50th State Party after depositing its instrument of ratification with the African Union on 4 September 2026.
Somalia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa on 4 September 2026. The deposit made Somalia the Agreement’s 50th State Party.
Minister of Commerce and Industry H.E. Amb. Gamal Mohamed Hassan presented the instrument at African Union headquarters. The deposit followed approval by the Federal Parliament and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s assent on 31 July 2026, completing Somalia’s formal ratification process.
Turning membership into trade
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will lead national implementation. It has established a National AfCFTA Coordination Office to bring federal institutions, Federal Member States and businesses together as Somalia aligns laws, policies and trade procedures with its commitments.
The next work includes tariff and customs arrangements, rules of origin, certification for qualifying goods and support for businesses preparing to trade under the Agreement. Through HoA DRIVE Somalia, the Ministry and partner institutions are strengthening trade procedures and the systems that help Somali products meet market requirements.
