ISDS Case Map
Africa
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s newest and most ambitious trade bloc, after the World Trade Organisation, its biggest, covering 1.2bn consumers in 55 countries that together generate annual GDP in excess of $3 trillion.
Tensions between Morocco and Algeria have risen lately, and there is now a heightened risk of armed conflict arising and the escalation is rooted in the dispute over the status of Western Sahara.
I do not share the view that the AfCFTA is the solution to Africa’s low level of intra-Africa trade. Neither do I believe that it will trigger the great transformation of Africa’s economies that its advocates assert it will.
Fisheries serve as a source of employment for millions of people in the small scale sector on the coastline of Africa. Their fishing activities, in turn, provide food security to over 200 million Africans.
Africa needs a more equal trade relationship with Europe where African countries are treated as partners, not serfs, argues Uganda's presidential advisor on exports.
Grand UK investments in Africa's green energy transition are more focussed on boosting British exports in an 'unsustainable' trade relationship,' development experts say.
The AfCFTA can truly make Ghana a gateway for the African market. US companies already see the opportunity, said US Ambassador to Ghana.
The preparations for the negotiations of the Investment Protocol under the AfCFTA agreement (The Agreement) are already underway though still in the early stages.
In terms of negotiations rules of origin, tariff schedules, trade in services commitments and non-tariff barriers have to be finalised.
African nations should not be expected to take the lead in addressing a climate emergency they did not create. The priority for Africa is to receive support and investment to build resilience and adapt to climate impacts.
