The 2026 African Trade Conference will be held in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11th. The attendees called for strengthening regional cooperation, eliminating trade barriers, promoting regional trade integration, and facilitating the development of intra African trade. This conference brings together African policy makers, financial institution representatives, business leaders, and investors to discuss how to accelerate the construction of the African trade system and expand intra continental trade. The attending representatives expressed that in recent years, global conflicts and trade frictions have occurred frequently, and the necessity for Africa to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance trade resilience has become increasingly prominent. Kennedy Mbekaiani, the head of the African Development Bank for Southern Africa, said that the changing global situation has made Africa more vulnerable to external shocks, such as US tariffs and Middle East conflicts leading to rising food and fuel prices in Africa. Africa needs to seriously consider and address these issues. Botswana's Trade and Entrepreneurship Minister Tiroaone Nzima said that strengthening cross-border cooperation and co financing will help reduce the cost of infrastructure construction. He emphasized the need to strengthen coordination between neighboring African countries, simplify trade routes, and enhance cross-border facilities to facilitate the transportation of goods. Elizabeth Ofusu Ajare, Minister of Trade, Rural Commerce and Industry of Ghana, pointed out that the fragmentation of the trade system remains an important factor restricting regional trade in Africa. She called for the establishment of a more efficient trade service mechanism. Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoca Murenga stated that African countries should promote common development through investment cooperation and trade exchanges. He called on African countries to eliminate trade barriers, strengthen cross-border investment and business cooperation, achieve complementary advantages, and jointly promote the development of African trade. (New Society)