Trade : AfCFTA launches digital customs platform to boost Intra-African Commerce

On July 17, 2025, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched its long-awaited digital customs platform, designed to cut border processing times by 65%. The system integrates with national tax authorities across 15 initial member states, using AI to detect fraudulent shipments. Early tests show trade document processing accelerated from 5 days to 6 hours. Pilot countries include Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.