# Moonshot 2026: Experts Demand Urgent Reforms for Intra-African Trade Regulatory barriers and fragmented systems hinder the potential of the AfCFTA market. - **Source:** [Africanews](https://www.africanews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a8e1d713-b3f8-4527-800f-d2bd548c3dd4 ## Trade Integration Gap Intra-African trade currently accounts for less than 17 per cent of the continent's total trade volume. This figure stands in stark contrast to Europe, where internal trade exceeds 60 per cent. Despite the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area, significant regulatory and financial barriers continue to stifle regional economic growth. ## Implementation Challenges Adetola Onayemi, Chairman of Norebase, identifies a critical disconnect between trade agreements and their practical implementation. Businesses face persistent obstacles at borders, ports, and banking institutions that prevent seamless operations. These systemic issues hinder the creation of a unified market, leaving the potential of a 3.4 trillion dollar economy largely untapped. ## Digital Infrastructure Solutions Experts advocate for technology-driven interventions to simplify market entry and lower transaction costs across borders. Key proposals include the adoption of standardised business documentation and the development of interconnected digital payment systems. Such infrastructure is essential to reduce the friction that currently prevents small and medium enterprises from scaling their operations. ## Private Sector Advocacy Businesses are encouraged to actively utilise the AfCFTA framework to identify and expose specific operational bottlenecks. By highlighting these challenges, companies can exert pressure on governments to enact necessary reforms. This bottom-up approach is viewed as a vital mechanism for unlocking trade potential, boosting household incomes, and effectively reducing poverty. ## Tech Ecosystem Shift Africa's technology sector is undergoing a significant transition as the era of cheap capital concludes. International investors are reassessing their exposure, making funding increasingly difficult to secure for many start-ups. This new reality forces companies to prioritise profitability, financial discipline, and the creation of sustainable business models over rapid, unproven expansion. ## Maturing Market Dynamics The current funding climate may signal the beginning of a more mature economic ecosystem rather than the end of the tech boom. Start-ups are now under pressure to demonstrate long-term value and resilience. This shift towards sustainable growth could ultimately strengthen the continent's economic foundation by weeding out inefficient, speculative business practices. ## Governance and Stability Data from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation indicates that nearly half of the African population resides in nations where governance has deteriorated over the last decade. This decline in institutional performance raises serious concerns regarding political stability and investor confidence. Weak governance directly undermines the business environment, slowing down overall economic development. ## Path to Sustainable Growth Securing sustainable growth across the continent requires a renewed focus on institutional strength, transparency, and accountability. Without robust governance, economic reforms may fail to deliver the intended results for the broader population. Strengthening these foundational pillars is essential to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and regional trade can flourish. ## Sources covering this story - http://www.africanews.com/2026/11/05/moonshot-2026-experts-call-for-urgent-reforms-to-unlock-intra-african-tradebusiness-africa/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._