Thanks for your thought provoking writeup. You have raised important issues regarding AfCFTA. I also have some scepticism in many areas but most importantly on institutional weakness. In a free trade area, the elimination of tariffs and technical barriers cover only goods that originate within the free trade area. However, in the AfCFTA, I am concerned that goods would be imported into Africa, repackaged as made in Africa, and circulated within the FTA, without proper checks. I doubt if there would be functional mechanisms in place to address these kinds of issues. A continental free trade agreement without a continental customs union is a disaster.
Dear Uche,
Thanks for your thought provoking writeup. You have raised important issues regarding AfCFTA. I also have some scepticism in many areas but most importantly on institutional weakness. In a free trade area, the elimination of tariffs and technical barriers cover only goods that originate within the free trade area. However, in the AfCFTA, I am concerned that goods would be imported into Africa, repackaged as made in Africa, and circulated within the FTA, without proper checks. I doubt if there would be functional mechanisms in place to address these kinds of issues. A continental free trade agreement without a continental customs union is a disaster.