Opportunities and challenges in implementing the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement

CATEGORY: Africa Institute of South Africa
DATE: 11 March 2021
AUTHOR: SABC News

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Friday last week hosted a discussion to look into the opportunities and challenges in implementing the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The Agreement was postponed from July last year due to Covid-19, until January this year. 

Many in Africa are in agreement that a visible, viable, sustainable and inclusive instrument to pursue the African economic development agenda is not only imperative but possible.

Governments and states are placing a high premium on the AfCFTA to play a huge role in changing the continent's economic trajectory, and create a strong world trading block to compete with the likes of the European Union.  However, issues such as the infrastructure, political realities in countries, the security factor on the continent, and political will came up repeatedly.

Joining us now to discuss this is Dr Vuyo Mjimba, Chief Research Specialist at the African Institute of South Africa or AISA