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AfCFTA

African Continental Free Trade Area: hope or neo-colonialism?
5-May-2020 United World International
The AfCFTA is an opportunity for countries and companies to help each other grow, but trade liberalization and Western control can harm the poor and local producers in these countries, and Africa will repeat the mistakes of the European Union.
AfCFTA postpones launch date as focus turns to curbing virus
4-May-2020 The East African
However member states have yet to make a formal statement and arrive at a consensus pointing to a postponement.
US should avoid phased approach in trade talks with Kenya: Chamber of Commerce
27-Apr-2020 Reuters
The United States should work to achieve a single, comprehensive agreement with Kenya that removes barriers to trade and investment, instead of pursuing a phased approach, the US Chamber of Commerce said.
Africa’s free trade agreement gets locked down for the year
27-Apr-2020 Daily Maverick
The AfCFTA has been put on ice until the coronavirus has been defeated, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA secretariat says.
Business leaders, others seek delay in AfCFTA’s implementation
23-Apr-2020 This Day
Some members of the organised private sector and experts in international trade in Nigeria have called for the postponement of the take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement
E-Commerce protocol incorporated into AfCFTA phase III
21-Apr-2020 Ghana Web
The acceptance of the e-commerce protocol came about during the 33rd AU Ordinary Session recently held in Ethiopia.
Postpone July 1 trading date of AfCFTA ― CUTS advises African Union
16-Apr-2020 Modern Ghana
A leading research and public policy think tank is calling on the African Union to defer, the July 1st date for the commencement of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria and the implementation of the AfCFTA: Key issues and policy options
16-Apr-2020 Premium Times
Nigeria’s trade and industrial priorities should be embedded in the ongoing dialogue for AfCFTA implementation strategies.
African Continental Free Trade Area to suffer setback - Mashakada
31-Mar-2020 Bulawayo24
Economist Tapiwa Mashakada has said the African Continental Free Trade Area is going to suffer a serious setback as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The AfCFTA and the European Union : ‘sister continents’ in the decade ahead?
25-Mar-2020 Borderlex
The European Union is investing political capital in the African Continental Free Trade Area. What’s the state of play in getting the world’s largest free trade area off the ground? And why does the project matter so much for Europe?
AfCFTA’s first deal to go ahead, despite virus complications
12-Mar-2020 Business Day
While meetings to rubber stamp details of the African trade area agreement have been affected, its first trade is still scheduled for July 1.
TDM call for papers: The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
12-Mar-2020 TDM
TDM call for papers for a special issue on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement ("AfCFTA").
Tunisian parliament urged to pass Africa Free Trade bill
11-Mar-2020 Middle East Online
The Tunisian parliament is under increasing pressure to revisit its decision not to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Africa may only see impact of new free-trade deal after 3 years
2-Mar-2020 Bloomberg
Target for first trade under continent-wide pact is July 1. Tariffs, rules of origin and protocols for services are yet to be agreed on.
South Africa could lose $4.5bn under new African trade deal
28-Feb-2020 Al Jazeera
The country’s tariff income is at risk under the deal, which requires African member countries to lower or cut tariffs.
Climate change poses risk to Africa’s free trade area: UN official
27-Feb-2020 China.org.cn
The recently-launched Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement faces climate change risks that could prevent the continent from gaining maximum trade benefits from the agreement.
MAN kicks as Nigeria’s priority products are omitted from AfCFTA’s sensitive, exclusive lists
26-Feb-2020 The Guardian (Nigeria)
Despite being a major market in West Africa, Nigerian manufacturers have kicked against the exclusion of Nigeria’s priority products from the sensitive and exclusive lists of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
A note to Kenya on its trade talks with the US: There is strength in numbers
22-Feb-2020 The East African
The FTA initiative should be seen in the context of the Trump administration’s determination to pursue bilateral deals to enhance reciprocity and American gains.
Trade Minister inaugurates seven working group to prepare country for AfCFTA
19-Feb-2020 Ghana Web
The working groups are expected to develop strategic programmes that will help the government domestically address key constraints facing intra-African trade to allow the country to harness the full benefits of the AfCFTA.
Kenya will be in breach of EAC, AfCFTA rules in proposed trade deal with America
18-Feb-2020 The East African
Kenya’s proposed free trade deal with the US has put it in the crosshairs as critics say the planned bilateral agreement would be a breach of regional and continental trade protocols.