Mozambique Embarks on New Trade Era with Historic AfCFTA Shipment to Kenya

In a landmark move that signals Mozambique’s deepening commitment to regional integration, the country has dispatched its first shipment of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – destined for Kenya. Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levi officially launched Mozambique’s participation in the AfCFTA during a high-profile ceremony in Beira over the weekend, marking a pivotal step in the nation’s economic transformation.

The event was graced by the presence of Wamkele Mene , Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, who served as Guest of Honor. Mene praised the milestone as a crucial advancement in boosting intra-African trade and accelerating regional economic integration.

He emphasized that the initiative will help unlock Africa’s vast economic potential by reducing trade barriers and streamlining cross-border commerce.

Prime Minister Levi used the occasion to spotlight Mozambique’s growing trade footprint across the continent. Over the past five years, Mozambique’s trade with other African nations has reached an impressive US$7.1 billion.

She called on the private sector to seize emerging opportunities by investing in industrial development and infrastructure through the government’s flagship “Industrialize Mozambique” program.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the AfCFTA, Levi reiterated how the agreement enables stronger partnerships and stimulates economic activity for local businesses. “This is not just about trade – it’s about building a stronger, more connected Africa,” she stated, underscoring the vast potential for expanded commerce across the continent.

Mozambique, which signed the AfCFTA agreement in 2018, submitted its tariff offer in 2024. The proposal was recently endorsed by the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2025, paving the way for duty-free or preferential access to markets in 47 African countries under the agreement.

This approval positions Mozambique to play a more influential role in shaping the future of pan-African trade, while also opening new avenues for growth, investment, and job creation at home.