The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Development of Productive Capacities in Africa

The adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in 2019, represents a major milestone in the process of economic integration across the African continent. Its primary objective is to establish a single market for goods and services by progressively reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, thereby stimulating intra-African trade and fostering sustainable economic development.

However, the success of this initiative largely depends on the level of development of the productive capacities of African states. This presentation will therefore examine the development of productive capacities in African countries as a fundamental prerequisite and a determining factor for the effective operationalization of the AfCFTA, with a view to promoting balanced and sustainable intra-African trade.