This year’s tralac Annual Conference was, for the second year, a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this year’s conference we considered some lessons from COVID-19. In the first instance, this is a health crisis. A third wave of COVID-19 is currently spreading across Africa, faster and with more devastating effect than the previous two waves. COVID-19 is a global pandemic and Africa is most vulnerable. But COVID-19 is much more than a health crisis. It is a development crisis. Extensive economic and social disruption require structural transformation and new governance solutions. Building differently and diversifying for resilience to future shocks, including the climate crisis, is required.

Taking stock of the AfCFTA has, in recent years, been a standing item on tralac’s Annual Conference agenda. This is again the case. The AfCFTA is not only about boosting intra-Africa trade, but also holds dynamic benefits: larger, integrated markets; improved customs and border management; and improvements in trade governance more generally are perhaps even more important now to, for example, attract investment to support the development and diversification of Africa’s productive capacity and improving competitiveness. COVID-19 makes the successful completion of the negotiations and the effective implementation of the AfCFTA that much more important now.

We also launched a study on ‘Trade and Gender in Africa’s Trade Agreements’. As we prepare to negotiate the AfCFTA Protocol on Women, Youth and SMEs, this study presents a comprehensive review of all gender-related provisions in Africa’s trade agreements, including the legal instruments of the AfCFTA that have been concluded. What are the implications for the AfCFTA Protocol on Women, Youth and SMEs?

PROGRAMME

Conference briefs are available to download below.