The Context
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, set to become the largest Free Trade Area (FTA) in the global economy, will provide a huge opportunity for Africa by uniting 1.2 billion people into one market, with an estimated combined GDP of US$2.5 trillion, which is expected to reach US$29 trillion by 2050. As a crucial part of the AU Agenda 2063, the main objectives of the AfCFTA are to create a continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and capital, and pave the way towards creating a Customs Union.
It will also grow intra-African trade through better harmonization and coordination of trade liberalization across the continent. The AfCFTA is further expected to enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through the exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better re-allocation of resources.