Towards a Continental Free Trade Area

Abstract

2015 offers a historic opportunity for a major step to be taken towards the integration of the African continent. The Economic Commission for Africa will convene a meeting to discuss the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) during the 2015 Conference of Ministers taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting seeks to draw attention to the CFTA agenda and gather momentum towards the negotiations for a continental free trade area, which are expected to commence in 2015 in accordance with the road map. The decision to establish the Continental Free Trade Area was taken during the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It brings together fifty-four African countries, with a combined population of more than one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than US$1.2 trillion.