EASTERN FM 105.1 MHz reports that SALT University College (SUC) has officially announced preparations for the inaugural edition of the African Diplomacy and Business Dialogue (AfDiB 2025). The event is scheduled to take place on September 3, 2025, at the premises of the Association of African Universities (AAU) in Accra, Ghana. The theme for the maiden edition has been set as: “Harnessing African Diplomacy for the Success of AfCFTA.”
The dialogue aims to serve as a premier platform for high-level discussions and initiatives that will contribute toward the effective implementation and success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is designed to foster networking and collaboration among a broad spectrum of participants, including representatives from government agencies, diplomatic missions, trade organizations, academic institutions, private enterprises, and individual stakeholders invested in Africa’s economic growth and integration.
Background of AfCFTA
The AfCFTA Agreement officially came into force on May 30, 2019, following its adoption and opening for signatures on March 21, 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda. By February 2025, 54 out of 55 African Union (AU) Member States had signed the agreement, underscoring the continent’s collective commitment to regional economic integration.
Currently, 48 AU Member States have ratified the agreement, signaling strong political will and enthusiasm for its implementation. Once fully operational, the AfCFTA is projected to create a single market for goods and services for approximately 1.4 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.4 trillion.
Analysts suggest that the agreement, by eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods and reducing non-tariff barriers, could boost intra-African trade by over 50% in the coming years. Furthermore, AfCFTA is expected to encourage African nations to move away from exporting raw materials and toward producing and trading value-added goods, thereby stimulating industrial development, enhancing competitiveness, and creating sustainable employment opportunities across sectors such as information technology, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, tourism, and more.
About AfDiB 2025
The African Diplomacy and Business Dialogue (AfDiB 2025) is conceived as a platform to harness the synergies between diplomacy, business, and policy frameworks that support Africa’s continental trade agenda. It will provide participants with an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to leveraging AfCFTA for economic growth. The dialogue will also serve as a networking hub for stakeholders seeking to establish collaborations across public and private sectors.
About SALT University College
SALT University College (SUC), the host institution for AfDiB 2025, was established in 2003 as an institute dedicated to leadership training in Africa. The institution received accreditation in 2018 from the National Accreditation Board (now Ghana Tertiary Education Commission) to operate as a fully recognized tertiary institution. SUC maintains academic affiliations with GIMPA and the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Currently, SUC hosts students pursuing Master’s and PhD programs from across Africa, including countries such as Angola, Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, the Republic of Benin, South Africa, and Togo. This diverse student body reflects SUC’s commitment to fostering pan-African leadership and scholarship.
EASTERN FM 105.1 MHz will continue to provide updates on AfDiB 2025, covering key developments, participant highlights, and insights into how the dialogue contributes to the advancement of Africa’s continental trade and economic integration agenda.
STORY BY: KENNEDY AMPONSAH NTI
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