The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers significant prospects to improve cross-border trade for the entire continent. However, for this to be achieved, supportive national trade policies and complementary administrative measures at the implementation fronts have to be put in place and effectively managed and implemented. The African Union is dedicating the year 2023 to accelerating implementation of its main flagship programme – AfCFTA, towards achieving Agenda 2030 (the Africa we want) and the Agenda 2063 (delivery on the Sustainable Development Goals).

Recent estimates by the World Bank (2020) indicate  that both the reduction in non-tariff barriers (NTBs) on goods and services and the improvements in trade facilitation measures will successfully account for about two-thirds of the US$450 billion in potential income gains. Nevertheless, this can only be attainable on condition that long delays across the majority of Africa’s borders (including border corridors) are reduced and compliance costs lowered – significantly. This way, it will become easier for businesses in Africa to become better integrated into regional and global supply chains. The issues of NTBs and long delays at the borders in East and Southern Africa (ESA) emerging are the focus of this Trade Brief.

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