An inclusive African continental free trade area: aid for trade and the empowerment of women and young people

Abstract

Regional integration in Africa reached a new milestone on 21 March 2018 when the agreement establishing the African continental free trade area was opened for signature. Once in place, the continent-wide agreement will span over a billion people and, in terms number of participating countries, be the largest trade pact to take effect since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO).The present report discusses the ways in which Aid for trade can be used to support efforts to lower barriers to trade for women and young people, and promote inclusive gains from trade following implementation of the agreement establishing the African continental free trade area. Section 2 contains a review of the aid for trade developments in Africa based on organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) data and on priorities emerging from the 2019 joint OECD/WTO monitoring and evaluation exercise. Section 3 includes discussions on the opportunities and challenges presented by the African continental free trade area for young people and women, and ways in which aid for trade is currently addressing the barriers they face. Section 4 concludes with a proposal for a way forward in promoting trade inclusiveness in Africa.