Core Points - The 16th Ministerial Meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) commenced in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasizing the need for deeper regional cooperation and faster implementation of the free trade area mechanisms [1] - The AfCFTA aims to create a unified market covering 1.3 billion people with a total GDP of approximately $3.4 trillion, recognized as a key pillar for Africa's economic transformation and regional integration [1] Group 1 - The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, called for enhanced collaboration among African nations to unlock the continent's potential through unity and shared development [1] - Tshisekedi proposed Kinshasa as a candidate location for future AfCFTA-related institutions or regional platforms, showcasing the country's commitment to regional integration [1] Group 2 - The Minister of Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Julien Paluku, highlighted the country's active pursuit of industrialization and agricultural transformation strategies within the AfCFTA framework [2] - The meeting discussed key topics such as tariff reduction mechanisms, rules of origin, and digital trade policies to enhance policy coordination and institutional alignment among member countries [2]