Trade in Goods
The Directorate of Trade in Goods and Competition at the AfCFTA Secretariat is focused on creating a single African market through implementing the Protocol on Trade in Goods and Competition. The Directorate also facilitates all negotiations on Trade in Goods and Services and provides technical advice to the Chairperson, State Parties and non-State Parties.
Read moreTrade in Services
One of the specific objectives of the AfCFTA Agreement is the progressive liberalisation of services. The AfCFTA Protocol in Trade in Services envisions a liberalised African Services market which shall be achieved by gradually eliminating restrictions that are incompatible with the AfCFTA Agreement, the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services, the Negotiating Guidelines for Services Negotiations under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services, and the AfCFTA Modalities for Services Negotiations.
Read moreDispute Settlement Mechanism
The Dispute Settlement Mechanism was established under the Protocol on Rules and Procedures of the AfCFTA Agreement. It focuses on amicable, transparent and swift resolution of disputes between State Parties. The key institutions of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism are the Dispute Settlement Body, the Adjudicating Panels and the Appellate Body for second-tier review.
Read moreCustoms and Trade Facilitation
In a Free Trade Area, such as the AfCFTA, Customs administrations play an essential role in developing and promoting intra-Africa trade through the effective implementation of the agreed tariff offers, rules of origin, and proper management of the borders. The directorate also simplifies and harmonises customs laws and procedures, the supervision of transshipment, and ensures customs cooperation among others. The Directorate, therefore, facilitates the enforcement of the agreed rules among State Parties.
Read moreInvestment
The role of financial investment is critical to the achievement of the objectives of the AfCFTA. The Council of Ministers responsible for trade, and the State Parties, have established a Committee on Investment. The Committee met in September 2021 and adopted its Terms of Reference, Negotiation Modalities and Guidelines for negotiating the Agreement on Investment, leading to the establishment of the Protocol on Investment.
Read moreIntellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
The promotion and protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are central to achieving the AfCFTA objectives. The Committee on Intellectual Property Rights was established in May 2021 by the Council of Ministers of Trade and State Parties to facilitate the negotiation of the Protocol on IPRs.
Read moreCompetition Policy
The AfCFTA Competition Protocol negotiations are ongoing. Competition policy encourages companies to offer consumers goods and services on the most favourable terms. It promotes efficiency and innovation and reduces prices within the AfCFTA market.
Read moreDigital Trade
Digital trade is an integral part of free trade and critical to boosting intra-Africa trade. In February 2020, the AU Assembly decided to include digital trade within the AfCFTA. Digital trade issues will be constituted into a Protocol that shall, upon entry into force, form an integral part of the AfCFTA Agreement.
Read moreWomen and Youth in Trade
The Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union committed “to broaden inclusiveness in the operation of the AfCFTA through interventions that support young Africans, women, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as integrating informal cross-border traders into the formal economy by implementing the simplified trade regime”.
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