The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Wamkele Mene has arrived in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire to begin a four-day working visit upon the invitation of the President of Cote d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara.

This is the Secretary-General’s first official visit to Cote d’Ivoire and he is expected to hold talks with a number of government officials and other stakeholders in the Ivorian business community which will primarily take place in the capital of Abidjan.

The consultations are expected to kick off with president of Cote d’Ivoire; Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Minister of Trade and Industry.

Also, Mr Wamkele Mene is expected to hold a dialogue with the Federation of West Africa Employers Association (FOPAO); and the Organised Private Sector to explore ways by which private sector on the continent could derive benefits from the World's largest free trade area.

Mr Mene was accompanied by officials of the AfCFTA Secretariat including Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, Peter Joy Sewornoo and Senior Advisor - Customs Demitta Gyang.