Wamkele Mene, a South African diplomat, has been appointed as the first Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFA).

Mene has extensive knowledge of trade diplomacy, trade representation, government to government representation, investment, and resolution of investment disputes

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFA) seeks to cut tariffs within the bloc, boost trade, eliminate border barriers, and create the world's largest free trade area.

Wamkele Mene, a trade law expert and negotiator, has been elected as the first Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFA).

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFA) is presumed to be the world's largest free trade area, by the number of countries once it’s fully in operation, according to the World Economic Forum.

He holds an LL.M in Banking Law and Financial Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science; an M.A. in International Studies & Diplomacy from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London; and a B.A. Law from Rhodes University.”

He served as South Africa’s Chief Negotiator in the African Continental Free Trade Area Negotiations.

He was also a senior trade law expert and negotiator on behalf of South Africa at the World Trade Organisation.

In 2010, he was appointed Deputy Ambassador, South African Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He was later named the Chairman, Committee on International Trade in Financial Services at the World Trade Organisation.