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Africa

EAC common market scorecard falls short of expectations
26-Jul-2022 The East African
Currently, trade between partners is at 20 percent, lower than the expectations of leaders at the time of the launch. EAC members are trading more with countries outside the bloc than partner states..
AfCFTA: Inconclusive rules of origin, trade in services delay commencement –NAC
23-Jul-2022 Sun News Online
The NAC scribe said it has been acknowledged that the gains from AfCFTA will only materialise through comprehensive and sustainable implementation focused on outcomes,...
Time is ripe for India to explore trade deal with AfCFTA: Commerce Secy
22-Jul-2022 Business Standard
AfCFTA brings together the 55 countries of the African Union and eight regional economic communities to create a single market for the continent, with an aim to enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent
Tunisian employers call for a free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria
22-Jul-2022 Econostrum
The Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) is campaigning for the signing of a free trade and free movement agreement between Tunisia and Algeria.
U.S., Kenya launch non-tariff trade and investment partnership talks
22-Jul-2022 Reuters
Kenya exported $685.1 million worth of goods to the United States in 2021, of which more than 75% entered duty free under AGOA, according to the Congressional Research Service
Israel eyes Ghana’s local agriculture production
13-Jul-2022 Ghana Business News
The State of Israel which produces about $1.2 billion worth of agricultural inputs and technology has expressed its readiness to partner with indigenous companies to augment Ghana’s local production.
Kenya to lose highest revenue in continental trade agreement- research
13-Jul-2022 Monitor
“Kenya will incur the largest loss at $14.2 million, followed by Uganda at $13.5 million. Tanzania is estimated to register revenue loss of $5.3million, Burundi $4.3million and Rwanda $ 3.9,” the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)shows.
Africa: Weaponizing Free Trade Agreements
7-Jul-2022 All Africa
In April 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed US-Kenya FTA talks would resume. Observers believe the US-Kenya FTA, initiated by Trump in 2020, would help expand US ’carrot and stick’ trade and security policies on the continent to counter China.
Fossil fuel investment protection – it’s time for actions to speak louder than words
7-Jul-2022 Daily Maverick
Political leaders and companies who are major contributors to climate change have expressed increasing commitment to playing a role in addressing climate change, but there appears to be a gap between these sentiments and negotiations...
Nigeria eyes global energy charter for investments
7-Jul-2022 Daily Trust
Nigeria is targeting to be part of the International Energy Charter (IEC), a global community that will enable it to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to accelerate power sector development.
European Parliament pushes for a new trade deal with Africa
4-Jul-2022 African Business
The vote on the “Future of EU-Africa trade relations” focuses on five key themes: infrastructure, food security, civil society, fair trade agreements and sustainable economic development.
AfCFTA suffers setback as Benin Republic slams CFA9m on Nigeria-bound transit cargoes
28-Jun-2022 Leadership
The agreement was brokered by the African Union (AU) and was signed by 44 of its 55 member states in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, 2018. The only country still not to sign the agreement is Eritrea, which has a largely closed economy.
ECOWAS regional experts meet on the draft Ecowas common schedule of specific commitments on trade in services for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
28-Jun-2022 Ecowas
To date, a total of forty-three (43) African countries are State Parties to the Agreement of the AfCFTA, including twelve (12) ECOWAS Member States.
Egypt, EAEU discuss launching new free trade agreement
20-Jun-2022 Daily News Egypt
Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea stated that a free trade agreement between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been negotiated.
Long-awaited Africa free trade area takeoff delayed by six states
20-Jun-2022 The East African
Six countries drawn from three regional economic blocs are yet to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), delaying its implementation more than a year after it was formally launched in January 2021
Kenya, US revisit trade talks, agree to expedite process
20-Jun-2022 The Star
US is pushing for favourable terms among them a duty free market access for its goods, including agricultural and industrial, in a move aimed at taming the growing dominance of China’s trade with Kenya.
US looks beyond delayed free trade deal in commercial ties with Kenya
31-May-2022 Business Daily AAfrica
The US government and Kenya early this month held a round of trade talks, which raised hopes of a fresh direction after the Biden administration froze Trump-era negotiations on the free trade agreement.
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) to coordinate ECOWAS Member States’ positions on the draft AfCFTA protocol on competition
31-May-2022 Ecowas
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together a number of ECOWAS Member States (Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal) and ERCA officials for a brainstorming on the draft AfCFTA Protocol on competition...
Russia aims to conclude free trade agreement with Egypt
30-May-2022 Egypt Independent
Russia aims to intensify negotiations on a free trade agreement with Egypt, and also to start similar negotiations with Indonesia and to conclude a Preferential Trade Agreement with the UAE.
President Kenyatta reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to enhancing ties with Switzerland
25-May-2022 African business
The Swiss President said Kenya is an attractive destination for investments and trade it serves as a gateway to Eastern and Central African region, and Swiss companies will benefit from the huge market provided by the AfCFTA agreement.