Africa’s heads of government, policymakers, leading industrialists, and global partners will gather in Addis Ababa on 23 and 24 November 2026 for the Africa Trade Development Forum 2026. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration of the Federal Democratic Republic Ethiopia and TradeMark Africa (TMA), the biennial summit arrives at a turning point for the continent’s economic integration and shifting global trade dynamics.
While much global trade conversation has focused recently on tariffs, the primary barrier to African trade lies in the technical, regulatory, financial, and logistical challenges of being able to export, often referred to as Non-Tariff Barriers.
These Non-Tariff Barriers – such as the measures and processes that allow African companies to show international offtakers that they are meeting critical safety and sanitary standards – currently add an estimated 15% to 30% to regional trade costs.
UNECA suggests that eliminating these barriers alone could surge intra-African trade by 52%.”Compliance costs are often higher than the tariffs themselves including actual import duties,” notes UNCTAD, citing that technical measures now regulate two-thirds of global trade.
The 2026 Forum will focus on priority, collective actions to harmonise standards, looking at what is needed to reduce compliance costs, accelerate quality certification, and ensure diminishing rejections of African goods by the world’s most lucrative markets.
Commenting on the forum, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, TMA Board Chair and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia said: “The next phase of Africa’s trade growth will depend on African firms showing that their products are as good as those of anywhere in the world. Businesses are up for the challenge – what we need to do, is to help assess and certify their goods, in a way that does not create a burden. ATDF 2026 offers an important opportunity to focus on these issues with clarity, seriousness and a shared sense of purpose.”
H.E. Kassahun Gofe (PhD), Minister of Trade and Regional Integration of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said: “Ethiopia is honoured to host the Africa Trade Development Forum 2026 at a time when the continent is placing renewed focus on the quality of its trade systems and the competitiveness of its markets. Standards and quality infrastructure are central to industrial growth, market confidence and the ability of African producers to compete within the continent and beyond. We look forward to welcoming leaders and institutions to Addis Ababa for a practical and forward-looking discussion on the reforms needed to strengthen trade in measurable terms.”
David Beer, Chief Executive Officer of TMA, added: “Africa’s trade ambitions will be realised by building the systems that allow African firms to compete better with the rest of the world, by showing their goods comply with the highest standards. Quality systems underpin that, as they build the trust that markets demand. ATDF 2026 will see leaders focus on how to help businesses make that happen.”
