Brief on the state of play of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Negotiations

Abstract

The quest for Africa’s Unity and formation of African Economic Community goes back to the independence struggles and the struggles for economic decolonization of Africa. These aspirations were translated into the the Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic Development of Africa (1980-2000) and the Abuja Treaty ; formation of the African Union and other initiatives like AIDA; BIAT (Boosting of Intra African Trade) ; PIDA. These processes are the precursors to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). The strengthening of Regional Economic Communities like SADC; EAC; ECOWAS; AMU as building blocs to the AfCFTA is also rooted in Africa’s quest for structural transformation and the formation of an African Economic Community. The AfCFTA is also entrenched in the Agenda 2063 of the Africa we Want