EIF

The African Continental Free Trade area: dawn of a new era

  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will transform the way Africa trades, with intra-African trade expected to increase by 15-25 per cent, and the boost to trade in industrial goods accelerating diversification of Africa’s economies.
  • African least developed countries were an integral part of the negotiations leading to the agreement; they are estimated to see larger than average increases in intra-African exports of industrial goods.
  • The inclusive benefits of the AfCFTA will however be tied to its implementation; national implementation strategies will be crucial in guiding aid for trade to ensure that Africa’s partners contribute to the realisation of the agreement’s developmental potential.