The guided trade initiative: documenting and assessing the early experiences of trading under the AFCFTA

The GTI was established in accordance with the decision of the 7th Ministerial Directive of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers responsible for Trade, which was adopted by Heads of State and Government in February 2022. The initiative is an interim solution to kick-start meaningful trade among interested State Parties that have met the minimum requirements for commencing trade under the Agreement, to test the readiness of the private sector, and to test the operational, institutional, legal and trade policy environment under the AfCFTA. The main purpose of this research is to document and provide practical information on how a few specific trade relationships that have taken place in the early stages of the GTI evolved and were managed. It also helps to draw lessons from the experiences of the participants that can enable other State Parties to navigate the AfCFTA implementation processes more effectively and ultimately catalyze increased intra-African trade under the AfCFTA in the years to come. The study documented export/import processes in the participating countries analyzed to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of import and export procedures, regulatory and institutional structures put in place to support the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. It also identified key challenges encountered and successes achieved and drew lessons and recommended remedial actions where necessary.