Somalia Becomes 50th State Party to AfCFTA After Parliamentary Ratification

The Federal Parliament of Somalia has taken a historic step toward deepening continental economic integration by formally ratifying the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), thereby becoming the 50th state party to join the landmark trade pact.

According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the decision came during the Sixth Meeting of the Seventh Session of the House of the People, presided over by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe), alongside First Deputy Speaker Sadiya Yasin Haji Samatar.

The session convened with a quorum of 146 Members of Parliament, who deliberated on the third reading and vote of the AfCFTA ratification bill—submitted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Following the vote, Speaker Madoobe announced the results:

• 145 Members voted in favour of the agreement,
• 1 Member voted against, and
•  None abstained.

The overwhelming endorsement reflects broad political consensus on the economic promise of AfCFTA for Somalia’s long-term growth and integration. The ratification paves the way for Somalia’s full participation in the world’s largest free trade area, encompassing 55 African nations, a combined market of 1.4 billion people, and a GDP exceeding US$3.4 trillion.

The move marks a major milestone in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction and economic reform agenda, signaling the country’s readiness to expand regional trade, attract investment, and promote industrial development under the AfCFTA framework.

Once operationalized, the agreement is expected to reduce tariffs on 90% of goods traded across African borders, harmonize trade regulations, and enable Somali businesses—particularly in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries—to access new continental markets.

Somalia’s AfCFTA ratification also underscores its growing commitment to regional integration as enshrined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions “an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens.”

With this development, Somalia joins other AfCFTA member states in advancing Africa’s collective ambition to boost intra-African trade, drive industrialization, and foster sustainable economic transformation across the continent.