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South Africa


Kenya and South Africa are working to address trade barriers: where to start
Trade volumes between Kenya and South Africa have always been minimal compared to each country’s engagement with its other major trading partners. But in recent years, leaders of the two countries have been taking steps to stimulate trade.
Letter: South Africa will take a heavy toll on AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement risks being unworkable if all members follow SANRAL’s example.
Saudi-South African economic relations on a steady upward trajectory
South Africa aims to become Saudi Arabia’s gateway for African markets in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
SACU, EU claim poultry victory
This was the first time the EU triggered a bilateral dispute settlement mechanism under one of its EPAs – and as such, the EU challenged the legal basis and compliance of the measure with the EU-SADC EPA on a number of grounds.
African Continental Free Trade Area agreement not quite the silver bullet SA hoped for, says ANC
The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement could have negative impacts on South Africa’s trade, labour force and micro, small and medium enterprises, according to a draft document prepared for discussion at the ANC’s upcoming policy conferences.
Wamkele Mene: AfCFTA must set agenda on intellectual property and subsidies
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s newest and most ambitious trade bloc, after the World Trade Organisation, its biggest, covering 1.2bn consumers in 55 countries that together generate annual GDP in excess of $3 trillion.
Corporate courts can be beaten. It’s essential for climate justice
It is perfectly possible to withdraw from trade deals containing corporate courts, as former South African trade minister Rob Davies explains.
Investment governance in Africa to support climate resilience and decarbonization
African nations should not be expected to take the lead in addressing a climate emergency they did not create. The priority for Africa is to receive support and investment to build resilience and adapt to climate impacts.
Africa: Dangote Group calls for ports’ reforms to enhance AfCFTA
The Commercial Operations Officer, Dangote Group, yesterday called for the reform at ports in Africa as well as the ease of regulations and bureaucracy, in order to realise benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
ARSO, AfCFTA Secretariat sign MoU to drive ambitious free trade agreement
The African Organisation for Standardisation and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement.
Africa’s economic trade-off
Africa’s new free trade area could transform the continent’s economy. But without strong social protections, it may result in more precarious work.
SADC countries unhappy with major new framework for relations with the EU
Southern African countries have rattled the European Union by indicating they might reopen negotiations on a major new, long-range framework for relations between Europe and developing countries that has already been accepted by all sides.
SACU and South America to deepen trade relations
Officials from the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) and the South American-based Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) have reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
What EU’s farm-to-fork strategy will mean for SA agriculture
The European Union’s (EU) Farm-to-Fork Strategy is set to be implemented in 2022 and will come with an additional layer of regulations.
Algeria-Morocco rift another blow to Africa’s free trade aspirations
Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra’s announcement on 24 August of a new break in diplomatic relations with Morocco is another setback for free trade and free movement on the continent.
Do international trade and investment agreements generate regulatory chill in public health policymaking? A case study of nutrition and alcohol policy in South Africa
Given the potential for wider use of the ISDS mechanism, strategies to protect public health policy space in the context of both international trade and investment treaty and dispute settlement contexts remain important.
China Is the biggest winner from Africa’s new free trade bloc
AfCFTA was supposed to usher in a new era of continental trade and economic growth—but Beijing’s not letting that happen.
Russians warn of arbitration against South Africa
RUSSIAN attorneys have warned they will institute international arbitration proceedings against South Africa for failing to protect their client Transasia Mineral’s investment after the company was allegedly defrauded of R458 million by a local businessman.
AfCFTA rules of origin talks drag
The full rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is being delayed as countries haggle over the overarching agreement on rules of origin and tariff reduction schedules.
SA poultry farmer is a big advocate of AfCFTA agreement
Founder of Peezel Farms believes South African poultry farmers need new markets as they continue to be undermined by current regulations which allow some foreign countries to dump their chicken products in the country.