Why the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)?

What are the modalities for tariff reductions, rules of origin and services sectors? Where will the real regional action be? Will the AfCFTA be rules-based? Can the African Union manage trade governance? Are we neglecting the global trade dimension?

These are some of the questions that were addressed during an AfCFTA Stakeholder Workshop organised by tralac from 18-19 October 2018 in Cape Town. The workshop covered the following topics:

• Background, rationale and expectations for the AfCFTA

• Update on the African Continental Free Trade Area negotiations

• Institutional Architecture and functions of the AfCFTA

• Ongoing negotiations: Trade in Goods – making a free trade area work

• Unfinished business – Phase I and Phase II negotiations

• The AfCFTA and Regional Economic Communities

• Conclusions – Why the AfCFTA must work and what will it take?

To find out more about the AfCFTA and download the agreed legal texts and other resources, please visit our AfCFTA resources webpage. A short Guide to the African Continental Free Trade Area is also freely available to download.