AfCFTA at six — is free trade in Africa out of reach?

AfCFTA was hailed as Africa's 'economic independence moment,' meant to unite 1.3 billion people, boost industry, create jobs, and reduce reliance on external powers. Six years on, intra‑African trade remains low, borders remain difficult to cross, and many economies still export raw materials. What has the AfCFTA delivered — and where has progress stalled?