Scope of the African Continental Free Trade Area – Part A [2 of 9]

Scope of the African Continental Free Trade Area – [Part A (2 of 9)] – The AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods, associated Annexes and Appendices 

 

In terms of Article 3 of the (Continental Free Trade) Agreement, the principal objective of the protocol on Trade in goods is to create a liberalised market across the continent. In creating this liberalised market, the protocol on Trade in goods read alongside the (Continental Free Trade) Agreement aspires to take the necessary measures that are required for stimulating Intra African trade. The consequences of these necessary measures can translate to the reduction of the costs of doing business and creating a conducive environment for private sector development across the continent. Other benefits also include the enhancement of the competition across the various industries and enterprises by taking advantage of larger cross-continental market size and easier continental market access to exploit opportunities for economies of scale (Ref-2). 

 

The African Union Assembly are confident that a comprehensive Protocol on Trade in Goods will deepen economic efficiency and linkages, improve social welfare, progressively eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, increase in trade and investment as well as create greater opportunities for economies of scale for the businesses of State Parties (Ref – 2).

 

The African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol on Trade in Goods, associated Annexes and Appendices

 

Our objective in this publication is to provide a holistic picture of the Protocol on Trade in Goods. In the diagram below, we have illustrated a high level-overview of the protocol, as well as a summary of the associated Annexes and Appendices.

 

 

Figure 1 – The AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods, Annexes and Appendices Summary

 

As you would probably have figured out by now, the scope of the African Free Trade Agreement is made up of multiple documents some of which were released in separate publications. Our goal in the above framework is to consolidate the different parts of the Agreement relating to the protocol on Trades in Goods. The Framework provides a snapshot of the 9 parts that make up the Protocol on Trades in goods. It further provides the Annexes relating to the Protocol on Trade in Goods and where available, proceeds to list the Appendices related to these Annexes.

 

Protocol on Trade in goods

 

In terms of Article 2 of the Protocol on Trade in Goods, the principal objective of creating a liberalised market for trade in goods is achieved through a series of specific set out objectives which will, in turn, stimulate or boost Intra African trade. These specific objectives (See Article 2 of the Protocol on Trade in Goods) are listed as follows (Ref-2):

1. Progressive elimination of tariffs
2. Progressive elimination of non-tariff barriers
3. Enhanced efficiency of customs procedures, trade facilitation and transit
4. Enhanced cooperation in the areas of technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures
5. Development and promotion of regional and continental value chains
6. Enhanced socio-economic development, diversification and industrialisation across Africa.

Protocol on Trade in Goods Annexes and Appendices

We are wrapping up this post by explaining Annexes and Appendices.

Annexes and Appendices are typically types of a document attached to a contract or agreement. Article 1 of the (Continental Free Trade Area) Agreement, cites both annexes and appendices as an instrument attached to a Protocol and Article 8 also confirms that it is an integral part of the Agreement.

The Protocol of Trade in Goods consists of 9 Annexes and in future posts, we will be providing an overview of what these Annexes are and where applicable their corresponding Appendices.

 

References (Ref.)

1. Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area – African Union 
2. Protocol on Trade in Goods
3. http://www.itac.org.za/pages/services/trade-remedies

 

Useful Links (UL)

1.     Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area – African Union
2. Protocol on Trade in Goods
3. https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneur-toolkit/templates-business-guides/glossary/technical-barriers-to-trade
4. http://tfig.unece.org/contents/gatt-v.html#:~:text=WTO%20GATT%20Article%20Vdefines%20international,warehousing%2C%20breaking%20bulk%2C%20or%20change