Addis Ababa, 23 April 2021, ECA – With financial support by the European Union, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Carleton University (Canada) and the Pan African Strategic & Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) organise from 27th to 29th April a roundtable to discuss the likely impact of bilateral economic and trade deals on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The webinar will bring together policy makers and other experts on trade and economics from the UN, the African Union (AU), representatives from research Institutes and academia, form the private sector and civil society from Africa, Europe, Asia and North America
Many African countries which are party to the AfCFTA, which entered into force on 1st January have signed various trade and economic agreements with non-party states, including the US, the European Union (EU), post-Brexit UK, China, Turkey, Russia and India. How will such side-agreements impact the implementation of AfCFTA?
The experts will review the capacity of AfCFTA state parties in managing the possible effects of these third-party agreements and their compliance with the AfCFTA. In addition, they will try to develop a policy framework which can be used by AU member States, the AfCFTA Secretariat, the AU, the regional economic communities (RECs) to manage the effects of bilateral arrangements on the AfCFTA.
Christine Duff and Pauline Rankin, both of Carleton University; Stephen Karingi, Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the ECA; and Birgitte Markussen, the EU Ambassador to the AU will make opening remarks.
H.E. Ambassador Birgitte Markussen, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union, stated “Since the European Union is the first aid, trade and investment partner of Africa, the European Union is very keen to participate or organize open debates on how bilateral trade agreements between Third Parties and African countries and regions can contribute positively to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
The roundtable will bring together policy makers, private sector, academia and civil society.
For registration, please follow the link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Tw2piw_8SwKSuYc8EMq9pw
The AfCFTA holds the promise of accelerating the inclusive and sustainable development of Africa through the creation of a single and liberalized market for goods and services which will increase intra-African trade and boost revenues and livelihoods. The AfCFTA agreement entered into force on 30 May 2019 after the treaty was ratified by 22 countries – the minimum number required by the treaty.
It provides an opportunity for Africa to create the world's largest free trade area with the potential to unite more than 1.2 billion people in a $2.5 trillion economic bloc. It has the potential to generate a range
of benefits through supporting trade creation, structural transformation, productive employment and poverty reduction.
Publié par :
Section de la communication
Commission économique pour l’Afrique
B.P. 3001
Addis-Abeba
Éthiopie
Tél : +251 11 551 5826
Email : eca-info@un.org