This paper assessed the efficacy of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Online Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism which was introduced to manage, ...resolve and eliminate non-tariff barriers encountered by African countries when trading within the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA – adopted by the African Union (AU) member states in March 2018 in Rwanda – seeks to sustainably transform Africa by enhancing intra-African trade, industrialisation and promote the free movement of people on the continent. While trade in goods under the AfCFTA commenced on 1 January 2021, the prevalence and proliferation of several non-tariff barriers to trade have potential to frustrate efforts to enhance intra-African trade and reduce the cost of doing business in Africa, as has been proven under regional economic communities (RECs) on the continent. This paper used primary data from RECs NTBs portals and secondary data from reported NTBs in African RECs to analyse and identify concrete valuable lessons from experiences of RECs that will assist to strengthen the efficacy and operational efficiency of the AfCFTA Online Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism. Findings from the research show that existing mechanisms to eliminate non-tariff barriers may be replicated at the AfCFTA level if not proactively prevented and prudently managed. These include unnecessary delays in resolving reported non-tariff barriers; weak compliance enforcement mechanisms; absence of deterrent and dissuasive sanctionary measures to discourage member states from introducing new non-tariff barriers; personnel capacity deficiencies and coordination challenges among implementing units; low levels of awareness of non-tariff barriers reporting and elimination mechanisms by traders and government agencies; and non-harmonisation of NTMs across regional economic communities which ultimately present themselves as non-tariff barriers.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – covering 54 member states with a combined 1.2 billion people (expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050) and making up US$2.5 trillion gross domestic ...product (GDP) – is estimated to increase the value of intra-African trade by between 15% (US$50 billion) and 25% (US$70 billion) in 2040. On the other hand, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area has an almost similar socio-economic and political foundation as that of the AfCFTA, having been established in 1992 (and entered into force in 1993) to boost intra-ASEAN trade, industrialisation and attract investments. The ASEAN bloc - which has a population of 600 million people - is forecasted to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, comprising a consumer market of over US$4 trillion. Notwithstanding the reality that the AfCFTA and the ASEAN FTA are in two different environments and contexts with peculiar socio-economic and political dynamics, the ASEAN FTA journey presents valuable lessons for the consolidation of African regional integration through the AfCFTA as the two FTAs also share pertinent similarities and commonalities. This article, therefore, sought to examine the prospects of the AfCFTA in consolidating African regional integration, drawing practical lessons from the ASEAN FTA trajectory, specifically the successes, challenges, complexities and emerging issues that have been confronting the ASEAN FTA since 1992. Methodologically, the article utilised secondary data from various sources for analysis and quantitative data analysis from ASEANStats, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), African Union and other datasets. The concept of regional economic integration provided a conceptual framework of analysis for the study. Findings from the study were key in identifying lessons (technical, coordinatory, institutional, macro-economic, political, etc.) that the AfCFTA member states may draw on to ensure its successful implementation.
With the adoption of Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZs) and Agro-Processing Zones (APZs) by Western countries and Asia, it is time for Zimbabwe to follow suit in order to address food insecurity ...challenges that the country has been facing since the year 2000. This article examines the possibility, rationality, utility, practicality and mechanics of designing and implementing SCPZs in Zimbabwe’s identified agro-processing nodes in order to boost and integrate food productivity, processing and marketing whilst restoring local food systems. Methodologically, the study utilises secondary data sources, drawing comparisons and valuable lessons from cases of successful SCPZs implementation in Europe, China and Asia. The agricultural development theory provides the theoretical framework that anchors the study, whilst the SCPZs as well as the food security rural-urban migration nexus constitute the conceptual frames of analysis. The research findings suggest that although there are multiple threats to food security in Zimbabwe, the adoption and implementation of SCPZs equally present significant opportunities for boosting food security and restoring local food systems through value chain developments. The study findings are key in informing the format, structure, design and operational modalities of SCPZs as a strategy for boosting food security and restoring local food systems in Zimbabwe.
Alors que les pays occidentaux développés et les marchés émergents d'Asie ont adopté les zones de transformation des cultures de base (SCPZ en anglais) et les zones de transformation agricole (Agro-Processing Zones-APZ), il est temps que le Zimbabwe fasse de même afin de relever les défis de l 'insécurité alimentaire auxquels le pays est confronté depuis l'an 2000. Cet article examine la possibilité, la rationalité, l'utilité, l'aspect pratique et la mécanique de conception et de mise en œuvre de SCPZ dans les chaînes agro-industrielles identifiées dans les zones à fort potentiel agricole du Zimbabwe, afin de stimuler et d'intégrer la productivité, la transformation et la commercialisation de produits alimentaires tout en réhabilitant les systèmes alimentaires locaux. Méthodologiquement, l'étude utilise des sources de données secondaires, tirant des comparaisons et de précieux enseignements de cas réussis de SCPZ en Europe, en Chine et en Asie. La théorie du développement agricole fournit le cadre théorique de l'étude, tandis que les SCPZ et le lien entre sécurité alimentaire et migration campagnes-villes constituent les cadres conceptuels de l'étude. Les résultats de la recherche suggèrent que, s’il existe de multiples menaces pour la sécurité alimentaire au Zimbabwe, l'adoption et la mise en œuvre des SCPZ présentent aussi d’importantes opportunités de renforcement de la sécurité alimentaire et de rétablissement des systèmes alimentaires locaux grâce au développement de chaînes de valeur. Les conclusions de l'étude sont essentielles pour éclairer le format, la structure, la conception et les modalités opérationnelles des SCPZ en tant que stratégie de renforcement de la sécurité alimentaire et de rétablissement des systèmes alimentaires locaux au Zimbabwe.
African regional integration has seen a multiplicity of efforts being made to overcome barriers that impede the free movement of goods and services. The free movement of people is one of the ...cornerstones and pillars of regional integration in Africa as it promotes tourism, intra-African trade, investment, labour mobility and skills circulation, employment creation and foster social integration on the continent. Although there may be identifiable achievements since the Abuja Treaty of 1991, such as the African Union Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment; African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; and the Migration Policy Framework for Africa and the free movement of people, the continent is still confronted with a myriad of constraints. Using the African Development Bank’s Africa Visa Openness Index; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s African Regional Integration Index, as well as qualitative analysis of a wide array of relevant reports and literature; this paper seeks to assess the collective progress achieved and challenges faced in facilitating regional integration through the free movement of people on the continent. The concept of Free Movement of People was used for conceptual analysis. The paper recommended strategic interventions at national, regional and continental levels, that may assist to accelerate the implementation of policy instruments meant to facilitate the free movement of people on the continent to accelerate African regional integration and create a ‘continent with seamless borders’ envisaged by the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011, after a protracted conflict which started in 1955 on the eve of the county's independence from colonial rule; was celebrated as a welcome solution to ...the resolution of a seemingly intractable conflict. However, since 2011 to date, South Sudan only experienced relative peace for a short period before the eruption of internal conflict whilst Sudan has also experienced internal instability. This paper examines the sustainability of the Sudan-South Sudan secession, and interrogates its implications on the management and resolutions of secessionist conflicts in Africa. It utilizes data collected through questionnaires from forty-two (42) experts, researchers and officials working in peacebuilding, humanitarian, media and development agencies in South Sudan to present the perspective of those on the ground. The study highlights the different perspectives with regard to the success of secession in South Sudan, its wider continental implications, and possible interventions that can be adopted to address protracted secessionist conflicts.
The AfCFTA continues to be celebrated as a game-changer in African regional integration and its 54 member states; a combined 1,2 billion people (expected to reach 2,5 billion by 2050) and US$2,5 ...trillion in gross domestic product (GDP). Empirical studies done by the Economic Commission for Africa have established that the AfCFTA will increase the value of intra- African trade by 15 per cent to 25 per cent (US$50 billion to US$70 billion) more in terms of trade in 2040, compared to what the figure will be if AfCFTA is not in place. Despite the high expectations and optimism, there exist genuine and legitimate political, economic, structural and technical factors that may prevent effective implementation of the AfCFTA. Using secondary data sources, this article critically examines whether the AfCFTA indeed signals a new era for African integration or is another grandiose razzmatazz. The concept of regional economic integration provides a conceptual framework of analysis. The article identifies salient issues that have to be addressed by African countries in their individual capacities or collectively in order to successfully implement the AfCFTA.
A New Era for African Integration or Another Grandiose Razzmatazz? The AfCFTA continues to be celebrated as a game-changer in African regional integration and its 54 member states; a combined 1,2 ...billion people (expected to reach 2,5 billion by 2050) and US$2,5 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP). Empirical studies done by the Economic Commission for Africa have established that the AfCFTA will increase the value of intra-African trade by 15 per cent to 25 per cent (US$50 billion to US$70 billion) more in terms of trade in 2040, compared to what the figure will be if AfCFTA is not in place. Despite the high expectations and optimism, there exist genuine and legitimate political, economic, structural and technical factors that may prevent effective implementation of the AfCFTA. Using secondary data sources, this article critically examines whether the AfCFTA indeed signals a new era for African integration or is another grandiose razzmatazz. The concept of regional economic integration provides a conceptual framework of analysis. The article identifies salient issues that have to be addressed by African countries in their individual capacities or collectively in order to successfully implement the AfCFTA.
The AfCFTA continues to be celebrated as a game-changer in African regional integration and its 54 member states; a combined 1,2 billion people (expected to reach 2,5 billion by 2050) and US$2,5 ...trillion in gross domestic product (GDP). Empirical studies done by the Economic Commission for Africa have established that the AfCFTA will increase the value of intra-African trade by 15per cent to 25 per cent (US$50 billion to US$70 billion) more in terms of trade in 2040, compared to what the figure will be if AfCFTA is not in place. Despite the high expectations and optimism, there exist genuine and legitimate political, economic, structural and technical factors that may prevent effective implementation of the AfCFTA. Using secondary data sources, this article critically examines whether the AfCFTA indeed signals a new era for African integration or is another grandiose razzmatazz. The concept of regional economic integration provides a conceptual framework of analysis. The article identifies salient issues that have to be addressed by African countries in their individual capacities or collectively in order to successfully implement the AfCFTA.
This article examines African regional integration-its birth during the decolonisation phase, its evolution, and the accompanying dynamics-against the background of intensifying globalisation. It ...critically analyses the complexities associated with African economic integration whilst taking stock of the challenges, successes, and progress made so far. The focus is on analysing how the different-and often-times overlapping-visions, commissions, and omissions of the OAU and AU, political leaders, civil society, and international players have shaped and influenced the nature, form, content, and direction of the continental integration agenda since its inception via-à-vis accelerating globalisation currents. In terms of methodology, secondary data sources are used for analysis. The article argues that, whilst noticeable progress has been made in African regional integration, intensifying globalisation forces are complicating the process. Consequently, economies struggle to cope with increased global competition for trade and investments, the proliferation of multilateral trade agreements, the exposure of vulnerable domestic industries, the weakening capacity of infrastructure, decreasing policy space, and competing interests with regard to decision-making. The findings presented in the article facilitate an understanding of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of African regional economic integration, which is fundamental in pursuit of the African vision and African dream.
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