Recent Articles

November 21, 2024
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A trade union snapshot of international trade in Namibia.
November 13, 2024
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An essential resource for Nigerian trade unions advocating for workers' rights and protections under the AfCFTA.
November 11, 2024
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This resource supports international trade advocacy by South African trade unions, particularly their campaign for an AfCFTA that benefits workers.
November 5, 2024
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Insight into trade dynamics in Kenya will help trade unions think about trade and their interests in the AfCFTA.
September 22, 2024
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Unions reflect on past negotiations and their trade positioning as the AfCFTA approaches its first review.

AfCFTA: Where did it start and where are we now?

1991
Retrospective
ABUJA TREATY

Vision of an African Economic Community
Progressive approach to regional integration in Africa, the establishment of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and a plan for creating an African Economic Community by 2028 (Albert, 2019)

2012
Retrospective
DECISION TO ESTABLISH AfCFTA

at the  African Union’s 18th Session in Addis Ababa

AU adopts Action Plan to oost intra-African trade

2013
Retrospective
AGENDA 2063 LAUNCHED

at the  50 TH Anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity

2017
Retrospective
2012 target for removal of trade barriers

Target missed

Jan 2018
Retrospective
Signing of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community

relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right to Residence and Right to Establishment.

18 Mar 2018
Retrospective
ESTABLISHMENT OF AfCFTA

In Kigali, Rwanda

Signed by 44 heads of state and governments

Apr 2019
Retrospective
The Gambia becomes the 22nd state to ratify AfCFTA

Only one year and ten days after its signing, the threshold of 22 countries required for the entry into force of the agreement, was reached. The timelines of this ratification process are unprecedented in the AU history.

30 May 2019
Retrospective
AfCFTA AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO FORCE

30 days after the 22-country ratification threshold

2019
Retrospective
NIGERIA, ONLY COUNTRY RELUCTANT TO SIGN THE TREATY TO PROTECT ITS INDUSTRY FROM LOW-INCOME GOODS

Nigeria has done much to encourage local manufacturing and expansion of agriculture in the country, concerned that low-priced goods will flood the market.

Finally signed the agreement on 7 July 2019 – big boost for AfCFTA as they represent the biggest economy

7 Jul 2019
Retrospective
AfCFTA OPERTATIONAL PHASE LAUNCHED

during the 12th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Niamey, Niger

2020
Retrospective
COVID–19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

BORDER CLOSURES

Feb 2020
Retrospective
OPERATIONAL PHASE LAUNCH

at the 33rd Ordinary African Union Assembly, supported by:

1. The agreed AfCFTA Rules of Origin.

2. Dashboard of the AU Trade Observatory.

3. AfCFTA Trade in Goods Password Protected Dashboard; iv) Pan-African Payments and Settlements System; and

4. Continental Online Mechanism for Monitoring, Reporting and Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers.

19 Mar 2020
Retrospective
Mr. Wamkele Mene APPOINTED FIRST SECRETARY GENERAL AND SECRETARIAT TO BE HOSTED BY GHANA PHASE LAUNCH
2020
Retrospective
COVID–19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISRUPTED

30 May 2020
Retrospective
PHASE 1 NEGOTIATIONS: TRADE IN GOODS, SERVICES AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT – LEGAL INSTRUMENTS CAME INTO FORCE BUT NOT CONCLUDED

PHASE 1 Negotiations are far from over!

16 Nov 2020
Retrospective
Preparatory Meetings for Commencement of Trading under the AfCFTA

AU Head of State and Government urged Member States to prepare national strategies for utilizing and benefiting from the AfCFTA

5 Dec 2020
Retrospective
VIRTUAL AU SUMMIT: Approved the start of AfCfta
1 Jan 2021
Retrospective
AfCFTA OFFICIAL STARTING DATE

Agreement comes into force before negotiations have been concluded!

For political reasons - creates momentum and may sustain momentum

Insights