A note from the Executive Secretary AFZA

Special Economic Zones, Free Trade Zones, Export Processing Zones are strategies for economic development usually characterised by special regulatory and incentive regime , often in an area administratively thought of as being a nation’s custom and trade regime to attract both local and foreign investment.

The special regulatory and fiscal regimes allow for freedom of operation at competitive costs.

The Africa Free Zone Association (AFZA) is an international non-governmental organisation formed in October 2004 in Cape Town, South Africa at the World Free Zone Convention. After the first meeting, the African Association met again in London December 2005 were the present Executive members were elected and the constitution was considered at the November 2006 meeting in Paris. It was at the October 2007 meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that it was resolved that a convention of stakeholders be held on the soil of the continent.

The Association was formed to serve as an instrument for the promotion of knowledge and best practices for Free Zones operation in Africa. The Association dwells in the provision of technical assistance, Market research and business development services as they relate to Free Zones and industrial parks of member African countries hence the 2008 International Convention.
Other Association like AFZA are: Committee de Zones Francis de Las America (CZFA) China Free Trade Zone and Export Processing Zone Association Union of Arab Zones National Association of Foreign Trade Zone (USA) Membership of the Association spreads across registered Free Zone and Industrial parks in African supervisory ministries and agencies of governments of African countries responsible for Free Trade Zones and Industrial park matters. The Secretariat of Association is in Nigeria with the English and French as its working Languages.