Only 13% of Africans aware of AfCFTA despite growing support for free trade — Afrobarometer

The report, titled ‘Beyond Borders: Citizen Perspectives on a Shifting Global Order,’ indicates that while public awareness of the landmark trade agreement remains strikingly low, support for freer trade between African countries and the rest of the world continues to grow.

It further emphasises that while citizens generally support deeper engagement with the global economy, greater public education will be needed to ensure Africans fully understand continental initiatives such as the AfCFTA, which is intended to boost intra-African trade, industrialisation and long-term economic integration.

The study, which draws on Round 10 Afrobarometer survey data collected across 38 African countries between 2024 and 2025, explores how Africans perceive global trade, migration, international influence, climate change and geopolitical developments.