tralac is pleased to present the 2024 Certificate Course – International Trade Law and Policy for Africa’s Development: Case study of the AfCFTA. The course consists of three modules and provides comprehensive coverage of International Trade Law and Policy from an African perspective.

It runs from April to June 2024 in hybrid format.

The global trade environment has been significantly impacted by recent developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as concomitant geo-political and geo-economic shifts. Trade policy remains contested and important, especially for African countries. We are cognisant of the fact that of the world’s 45 least developed countries, 33 are African. Several are in debt crisis, which further complicates their trade and economic development agendas.

Interest in trade and regional integration in Africa has received notable impetus in recent years, partly as a result of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA entered into force at the end of May 2019. In addition, trade-industrial policy linkages have been even more important, as African countries seek to develop and diversify their economies. This structural transformation is essential for the continent to move away from its commodity dependence and its forward-linked participation in global value chains. This course aims to build trade law and policy capacity to support sustainable development. Smart policy connections and coherence are essential to achieve this objective.

Debates and discussions are actively encouraged in the course. Exploration of complex trade law and policy problems will facilitate collective learning as we engage with the new developments on Africa’s trade and integration agenda. Participants are encouraged to share experiences, trade policy challenges, and success stories.

The course consists of three modules and an inter-modular e-learning program.

This course will focus specifically on issues relevant to the AfCFTA and Africa’s broader trade and integration agenda. Africa’s global trade relations will also be studied. These relationships remain important given that more than 80% of Africa’s trade is still with global partners.

---

Learning Modalities

Interactive, participatory learning processes, which are the foundation of adult learning modalities, are followed in this course.

Participants must complete a preparatory online work program (6 hours of work will be required, and a short assignment will be submitted and assessed – feedback will be provided to each participant). This pre-course program is designed to support preparation for the first Module of the course. The three course modules are:

Module 1: 15-19 April 2024

International Trade Law and Policy: Foundational Disciplines (including trade data and policy analysis).

Module 2: 6-10 May 2024

A comprehensive International Trade Law and Policy Agenda covering trade in goods disciplines (such as tariffs, rules of origin, and standards), trade in services (including regulatory frameworks), competition policy, investment, intellectual property rights, digital trade, trade and gender, and dispute settlement.

Module 3: 10-14 June 2024

Africa’s trade and integration agenda: African Continental Free Trade Area, Regional Economic Communities, and bilateral agreements.

Modules 1 and 3 will take place in person, in Lusaka, Zambia (participants are responsible for securing the necessary visa), and Module 2 will be virtual.

Inter-modular programme

Between modules 1 and 2, and again between modules 2 and 3, participants will be required to complete the inter-modular program (submissions will be required).

At the end of module 3, there will be an oral exam. Each participant will have a 30-minute slot. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a tralac certificate and be invited to join the tralac alumni network.

---

Learning Outcomes

Participants who successfully complete the course will have:

• an understanding of the principles of international trade law and policy – in a global context, and specifically as they apply in an African context

• an understanding of the complexity of trade and trade-related policy linkages, and of the trade-development nexus

• acquired tools to analyse trade data, trade performance and trade law and policy developments

• be able to review and appraise current trade law and policy developments.