Trading under the African continental free trade Area January 2021

Abstract

According to the African Union Commission, 35 State parties have deposited their instruments of ratification of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area with the Chairperson of the Commission. The preferential trade under the Agreement will only begin between countries, including those of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community customs union, that have submitted tariff schedules of concessions (further submissions are expected by the next ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union in February 2021). Accordingly, additional initial offers are expected, to enable parties engaged in the negotiations of trade in services to finalize the development of schedules of specific commitments in the five priority services sectors: business services, communications, finance, tourism and transport.