Telling the trade stories of least developed countries

The AfCFTA's success lies in last-mile implementation. Connectivity and mobility are key.

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic kick in, hopes for better progress, at least in the short term, appear to be fading.

New paper looks at the supply chain dimension of African trade during and post-COVID

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts, West Africa’s objectives remain valid

Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 18 February 2020

Despite impressive progress in the negotiations, it is still not possible to trade under the AfCFTA as the negotiations of preferential tariff concessions and rules of origin have not been completed.

The entrepreneurial uptake of computer technology and the entrenchment of digitisation have made Africa a demonstrable source of intellectual power in the digital sphere.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will transform the way Africa trades, with intra-African trade expected to increase by 15-25 per cent, and the boost to trade in industrial goods accelerating diversification of Africa’s economies.