MC14 has concluded in Yaoundé. After four days of negotiations, only two decisions were adopted while major reforms on agriculture, dispute settlement, fisheries subsidies and digital trade remain unresolved. What does this mean for Africa and the future of global trade? Read ICOYACA’s full analysis on LinkedIn: 👇 linkedin.com/pulse/mc14-has-… #MC14 #MC14Yaoundé #WTO #AfricanTrade #AfCFTA #TradePolicy

Anele Simon from @ICOYACA encouraged young people to seize the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement @AfCFTA She called for South African youth to take intra-Africa trade seriously. #June16

Two weeks ago, our Chairperson, @Emolot_AD, joined the Under 40 Business Leaders Forum at the @OneYoungAfrica's Summit 2026 under the theme "Breaking Barriers, Building the Future." The conversation focused on a simple but important message: AfCFTA is not only for large corporations. It is also for young entrepreneurs, SMEs, creatives, innovators, and service providers looking to grow beyond their local markets. As Africa continues to grapple with high levels of youth unemployment, expanding opportunities for intra-African trade is critical. The session explored how young people can take advantage of the continent's single market and emerging opportunities in digital trade to build sustainable businesses and create jobs. ICOYACA remains committed to ensuring that young people are informed, represented, and equipped to participate in Africa's economic transformation. Africa's market is open. The opportunity is here.

📢 Where Are The Youth? 50 years after 16 June 1976 and 20 years after the African Youth Charter, it's time to reflect on the role of young people in shaping governance, policy and economic development. We are proud that ICOYACA Secretary-General @itsElenaNomis will be speaking at this important seminar hosted by the @Wits_WSG, @SAYC_ZA and @APRMorg. 🗓️ 12 June 2026 ⏰ 14:00–17:30 📍 Wits School of Governance, Johannesburg 💻 Online registration: wits-za.zoom.us/webinar/regi… 📝 In-person registration: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… Join us as we reflect on the legacy of youth activism and discuss the future of youth participation across South Africa and the African continent.

In the recently concluded @OneYoungAfrica Summit 2026, I spoke at the Under 40 Business Leaders Forum. My main focus was demystifying the @AfCFTA. With the youth unemployment staring us in the face across the continent, intra-African trade is not a luxury, it is the solution.

⏳ 3.5 weeks left! Africa Youth Future Forward Innovation Challenge by ICOYACA South Africa is open for 18–35 innovators with a prototype, MVP or validated idea. 🏆 Win R20 000 mentorship investor access summit pitching. Apply: lnkd.in/gvs-ATQ3 Deadline: 30 June

🇷🇼 A major milestone from our Rwanda Chapter! During African Liberation Day, attended by AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, ICOYACA Rwanda advocated for the inclusion of AfCFTA studies in Rwanda's national curriculum. We are proud to share that the proposal was accepted and is now awaiting official adoption. This achievement reflects the power of youth-led advocacy in advancing awareness, ownership, and understanding of African economic integration among the next generation. Congratulations to our Rwanda Chapter for turning ideas into action and helping shape a future where young Africans are equipped to engage with the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area. #ICOYACA #AfCFTA #AfricanYouth #AfricanLiberationDay #Rwanda #YouthLeadership #AfricanIntegration

🚨 OFFICIAL LAUNCH Did You Know? The @ydacafrica is proud to unveil its newest thought-leadership series, “Did You Know?”, your weekly gateway to the hidden foundations of diplomacy, international law, landmark treaties, and powerful diplomatic facts that shape Africa’s place in the world. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, we will reveal lesser-known diplomatic realities, African-led initiatives, and pivotal historical moments, explained clearly, connected meaningfully to today’s realities, and made relevant to the next generation of Pan-African leaders. Because true diplomacy begins with knowledge. Because Africa’s youth deserve more than headlines, they deserve understanding. Because informed voices are powerful voices. This is more than a series. This is diplomatic literacy in action. Welcome to “Did You Know?” The first post drops this Thursday. Turn on notifications 🛎️. Follow for weekly insights. Comment, share, and tag a young leader who needs to know this. Together, we elevate not just voices but understanding. #YDAA_DidYouKnow #DiplomaticLiteracy #AfricaWeWant @_AfricanUnion @AUYouthProgram @UN @DiplomacyGirls @IntRelationsKe @unfoundation @UNYouthAffairs @OneYoungAfrica @MSTCDC @EmolotFdn @ICOYACA @APRMorg

🌙 Eid al-Adha Mubarak from ICOYACA. As we celebrate this special occasion, may it bring peace, compassion, unity, and renewed hope to communities across Africa and the world. Wishing all those celebrating a joyful and blessed Eid. ✨

Africa’s greatest strength is its people, especially its young people. 🌍✨ This Africa Day, we’re reflecting on the voices, dreams, creativity, and aspirations of young Africans captured during the @AfCFTA's Creative Connect Afrika last year. From different backgrounds and perspectives, one message remains clear: the future of Africa will be shaped by collaboration, innovation, solidarity, and youth leadership. At ICOYACA, we remain committed to creating platforms that amplify young African voices and advance continental integration through the AfCFTA. 🎥 Watch the full video and hear directly from inspiring young changemakers across the continent. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and join the movement toward a more connected and prosperous Africa 👉 lnkd.in/dfGyS3CA.

ICOYACA is proud to launch its Young Experts Network 👏🌍. The Network brings together emerging African professionals across law, policy, governance, economics, finance, agriculture and inclusive trade to help bridge the gap between youth expertise and the institutions shaping Africa’s economic future. Our aim is to ensure young people are not only consulted, but meaningfully positioned within government, private sector and development spaces where implementation and decision-making take place. This reflects a broader continental mindset shift: young Africans are not simply the future of development, they are active actors shaping it now. Announced alongside conversations at the AfCFTA Biashara Forum on youth participation, SMEs and Africa’s integration agenda. Read more on our website 👉 icoyacaafrica.org/news #AfCFTA #YouthLeadership #AfricanDevelopment

Day 1 of Biashara Afrika 2026 opened with a shared sense of purpose and possibility as policymakers, businesses, entrepreneurs, and partners came together with one goal: building a truly continental market for Africa. Here is a look back at some of the key moments from the day. #BA26 #AfCFTA

Earlier this week at #BiasharaAfrika2026, participants shared their aspirations for the future of African trade, a continent where businesses can move goods more easily, barriers are reduced, and opportunities flow across borders with greater ease. Their voices reflect a shared ambition for a more connected, practical, and inclusive trading environment for Africa’s businesses and people. #BA2026 #CreatingOneAfricanMarket #BiasharaAfrika #AfCFTA

🚨 Calling All African SMEs! 🌍 ICOYACA is proud to partner with @234Finance for the SME Bootcamp 2026, a two-month Pan-African program designed to help high-growth SMEs scale across African markets under the AfCFTA. If your business is ready for cross-border growth, this is your opportunity to gain: ✅ Expert-led training ✅ Mentorship & investor readiness support ✅ Access to strategic partners, financial institutions & investors ✅ Funding opportunities of up to $2M ✅ Access to the Mentor Matchup Challenge (MMC) ecosystem 📌 Eligibility: • 3 years in business • Up to $100,000 annual turnover • Team size of 2–10 people ⏰ GOOD NEWS: Applications have been EXTENDED to 30 May 2026 at 11:59 PM WAT! 📝 Apply now: 234finance.com/bootcamp Estimated application time: 10 minutes. Take the next step toward scaling your business across Africa. 🚀 #SMEBootcamp2026 #ICOYACA #AfCFTA #AfricanSMEs #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #PanAfrican #InvestorReadiness

Speaker Spotlight | #YouLead26 Meet Emolot Allan David — Chairperson, Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA, @ICOYACA. Shaping youth engagement in Africa’s trade and economic future.

An insightful session at #BiasharaAfrika2026 as H.E. Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank, took the stage discussing financing Africa’s trade and industrial transformation under the AfCFTA. Moderated by Hannane Ferdjani, the session highlighted how strategic investment, stronger regional value chains, and increased intra-African trade can accelerate Africa’s economic integration and industrial growth. It drew on practical, proven experience of Afrexim Bank's financing value chain development, such as the cotton value chain development project in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon, as examples of how value addition and industrialisation can drive sustainable growth across the continent. @afreximbank #BA2026 #CreatingOneAfricanMarket

“Without the private sector as a co-driver of this ambitious project, the success of the AfCFTA will be constrained.” — H.E. Wamkele Mene. Speaking at the opening of #BiasharaAfrika2026, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the #AfCFTA, highlighted the significant progress being made in advancing intra-African trade across the continent. He noted that the growth in intra-African trade is clear evidence that the AfCFTA is working, transforming what once seemed impossible into a lived reality for Africa. Emphasising that there can be no trade without businesses, H.E. Mene underscored the AfCFTA Secretariat’s continued support for SMEs and the private sector through practical tools and instruments designed to unlock opportunities under the Agreement. He further highlighted the Secretariat’s efforts to digitalise trade through instruments such as digital payment systems, non-tariff barrier reporting mechanisms, and the e-Certificate of Origin, all of which are accelerating Africa’s digital trade transformation. H.E. Mene reaffirmed the AfCFTA Secretariat’s commitment to ensuring that the Agreement moves beyond paper to practical implementation capable of addressing the continent’s trade challenges. #BA2026 #CreatingOneAfricanMarket