Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area

Abstract

This document contains the original text of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) translated into Amharic, the working language of the Federal Government of Ethiopia. The UNECA has always stood behind the Government of Ethiopia, providing technical support to help inform the Government’s decision-making process in every way it can. Unlike a vast majority of African countries, Ethiopia is neither a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), nor a full participant in the trade liberalization initiatives within the Continent through regional economic communities (RECs). UNECA have been committed to ensure Ethiopia gets all the technical support it needs to succeed in this area. That is why the UNECA has continued to engage with, and support, the Government in the post-ratification phase as well. In this context, the Amharic version of this landmark Agreement published. Since the adoption of the AfCFTA Agreement in March 2018, while its universal ratification and entry into force represents a significant step forward on the Continent’s path towards the formation of the African single market, entry into force alone is not enough; the Agreement will deliver on its enormous promises only if it is implemented to its letter and spirit. By making the Agreement accessible to a broader public in Ethiopia, the Amharic translation of the Agreement and its publication in this form will no doubt contribute to the realisation of that goal.