Economic Diplomacy in Support of the Success of the AfCFTA: From Ambition to Reality[La diplomatie économique au service de la réussite de la ZLECAf: De l'ambition à la réalité]

In March 2018, the Member States of the African Union signed an agreement regarded as a beacon of hope for all African nations and as a flagship initiative of the Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated, connected, and economically strong Africa. However, seven years after its signing, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains slow, hindered by an uncertain global environment marked by successive crises. Consequently, the structural challenges facing the African continent continue to delay the full achievement of regional integration. Moreover, the fragmentation observed in international negotiations weakens Africa's collective influence and limits the expression of its economic potential. In this context, economic diplomacy emerges as a strategic tool of paramount importance, aimed at ensuring a unified African representation in global negotiations and strengthening the continent's position in relation to major powers. Accordingly, economic diplomacy appears as a coordinating mechanism among African states, capable of reinforcing the political and economic support necessary for the success of the AfCFTA. Drawing on a theoretical approach, this article analyzes the role of economic diplomacy in consolidating the AfCFTA and in shaping a unified African voice on the international stage. Keywords : economic diplomacy, AFCFTA, Africa, regional integration, international trade.