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Africa


Euro-African trade signifies changing relations
From a geopolitical perspective, Europe arguably needs the EPA trade deals with Africa more than Africa does.
US-Africa Summit - Are we up for a new deal?
The US Trade Representative Michael Froman argues for comprehensive trade and investment strategy – read possibly in the future, negotiate reciprocal trade agreements, à la EU-Africa Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) but with more binding investment clauses to protect the interests of US businessmen.
Michael Froman sets stage for Africa summit, AGOA debate
US Trade Representative Michael Froman on Tuesday called for a new “compact” to boost trade and investment with sub-Saharan African nations, as President Barack Obama prepares to meet with 50 African leaders next week and Congress looks at renewing a 14-year-old program for the region.
Rethinking the role of global investment in Africa’s development
Much hope is placed on foreign direct investment to deliver development capital for African countries. Yet FDIs are part of the global financial capitalist system, which maintains and reproduces inequality and keeps African states dependent on Western countries and financial institutions, writes Yash Tandon.
Economic Partnership Agreements and agriculture: the challenges for Africa
African countries that are not LDCs (Least Developed Countries) are now threatened with withdrawal of free access to the European market if they do not ratify an interim agreement with the EU before 1 October 2014
Canada - Africa: Aggressively negotiating treaties
Canada’s Minister of international trade, Ed Fast explains the country’s strategic shift to link development aid with private sector investments.
China’s investment in Africa increases 20.5 pct annually
China’s direct investment in Africa increased from $1.44 billion to $2.52 billion, with an annual growth of 20.5 percent from 2009 to 2012, says a new white paper from the Chinese government
Obama’s Africa trip bolsters US interests
One major US-Africa issue was unresolved as Air Force One left Tanzania’s tarmac: the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a tariff-free trade deal that was devised during Clinton’s administration and expires in 2015, writes James Reinl for Al Jazeera.
Promoting women’s economic empowerment through gender responsive trade agreements experiences
This report is based on the research done by FEMNET to assess the extent to which trade arrangements between African countries and the European Union facilitate African women’s economic empowerment and realization of their economic rights.
The future of AGOA and US-Africa trade
At a time when the US was struggling to stay on its two feet in the heat of a looming economic meltdown in 2008, were hopes of better trade deals with Africa unrealistic when President Barack Obama was elected into office?
World Bank urges Africa to reject EPAs with EU
The World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, Shantayanan Devarajan has added his voice to the call on African countries to reject the Economic Partnership Agreements that the European Union is currently trying to force on them.
African countries plan single trading bloc
The President of the African Organization for Standardization maintains that SADC, ECOWAS and EAC will continue to exist alongside the new African Free Trade Area.
Regional blocs seek to remove trade barriers
Three regional economic communities (Recs) have taken the lead as Africa seeks to remove trade barriers by 2017.
Not yet Uhuru as long as interests of capitalist economies persist
It cannot be Uhuru yet for Namibia and its partners, or should one say fellow downtrodden countries united in the economic bloc of the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries.
China pledges $20bn in credit for Africa at summit
China has pledged $20bn (£12.8bn) in credit for Africa over the next three years, in a push for closer ties and increased trade.
UNCTAD to offer Africa assistance to boost intra-continental trade
The UN Conference on Trade Development (UNCTAD) says it will offer assistance with three elements of the newly adopted African Union (AU) action plan on intra-African trade.
Africa: Coming Back to Bite
African governments once rushed into signing bilateral investment treaties to encourage FDI. Lawyers are now calling for new models.
Africa’s Free Trade Zone: A Pie in the Sky?
African heads of state have ambitious plans to create a free trade zone, encompassing 26 countries and more than 600 million people on the continent. But economic experts warn the project is a bold step that comes with a plethora of legal, administrative and political hurdles. Others suggest the plan might be a pie in the sky.
ACP, LDC sugar suppliers deplore EC’s CAP proposals
The ACP and LDC cane sugar suppliers express their profound concern and dismay at the Commission’s proposals in respect of the elimination of sugar quotas in the context of the CAP reform announced on 12 October 2011.