African Continental Free Trade Area
Coverage of African Continental Free Trade Area in the Nexus archive.
- The debate over AGOA is missing the point
The article argues that the U.S. debate over extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is misplaced, as competitors like the EU and China are advancing deeper commercial ties with Africa. It highlights the need for the U.S. to shift from AGOA's one-way trade preferences to a broader strategy focused on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reciprocal agreements, and long-term investment in infrastructure and critical minerals.
- Intra-Africa commerce could reach 53% if AfCFTA were fully implemented, report finds
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could increase intra-African commerce from 18% to 53% if fully implemented, potentially growing the continent's manufacturing sector by $1 trillion and creating 14 million jobs by 2035. However, significant obstacles remain, including limited ratification of the Free Movement of Persons Protocol, with only four African nations having ratified it so far.