Mr. Wamkele Mene has been reappointed as the Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by the African Union's (AU) Authority of Heads and Governments. His re-election for another four-year term was confirmed at the African Union's 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AU expressed its confidence in Mr. Mene, citing his instrumental role in advancing the “Africa we want,” as outlined in the AU's Agenda 2063. Mr. Mene, a South African national, has served as the first Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat since 2020, overseeing the implementation of the world's largest free trade area by membership.
Under Mr. Mene's leadership, significant progress has been made in the AfCFTA's implementation. Currently, 47 countries have ratified and deposited their instruments of ratification for the free trade agreement. Additionally, initiatives like the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlements System (PAPPS) have been launched to accelerate trade facilitation and simplify transactions across the continent.
Mr. Mene's extensive experience in trade negotiations and economic relations includes roles as Chief Director of Africa Economic Relations and Director for International Trade and Investment Law at the Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa. He has also represented South Africa at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and chaired the WTO's Committee on International Trade in Financial Services.
Mr Mene holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law from Rhodes University, a master's degree in international studies and diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in Banking Law and Financial Regulations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.