Amani Asfour wins a second term at the head of the African Business Council
Re-elected in El Alamein, she says Africa must move from exporting raw materials to making higher-value goods under the free trade area: "One Africa, One Market, One Prosperous Future."
El Alamein — The African Business Council (AfBC) has re-elected Amani Asfour as its president for a second term, at its General Assembly in El Alamein, Egypt, Daily News Egypt reports. The assembly was held alongside the African Union's Mid-Year Coordination Summit and the El Alamein African Business Summit.
The new leadership
Four vice-presidents were elected:
- James Chimwaza, former president of the COMESA Business Council
- Mijgan Kazmir, vice-president of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry
- Charles Kahuthu, chief executive of the East African Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
- Mansour Ahmed, president of the Pan African Manufacturers Association
The agenda
Asfour called the African Continental Free Trade Area a major opportunity, and said the council will push to speed up trade between African countries, build regional value chains, industrialise and support small businesses, women entrepreneurs and young business leaders. Africa, she said, must move away from exporting raw materials towards higher-value goods made on the continent. "Together, we will continue working towards our vision: One Africa, One Market, One Prosperous Future," she said.
The council, set up by decision of the African Union's heads of state, gives businesses of every size a voice in policy. In its new term it plans to work more closely with the AU Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat, regional economic communities and chambers of commerce.
Source: Daily News Egypt, 17 October 2026.
