The African Continental Free Trade Area

Trade is a powerful engine for economic growth and development. However, Africa’s role in the global trade market has fundamentally been providing raw commodities in exchange for manufactured goods, thereby capturing a minimal 3% of the global share of trade. In addition intra-Africa trade is relatively low at levels of not more than 15% and this can change if Africa effectively addresses supply side constraints and weak productive capacities, infrastructural bottlenecks, trade information networks, access to finance for businesses, facilitation of trade in services and free movement of people for cross border trade.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a flagship project of Agenda 2063 and refers to a geographic zone where goods and services move among member states of the African Union (AU) with no restrictions. The AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade by providing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement among the member states, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights and competition policy. Globally, countries are concluding Mega-Regional Trade Agreements (MRTAs), thus reshaping and changing the global trading landscape in the process. The establishment of the AfCFTA will allow Africa to strengthen its position vis-à-vis the rest of the world, speak with one voice and act in unison on all continental and international trade issues.
The AfCFTA will create a wider market of more than 1.3billion people a combined GDP of US$ 3.4 Trillion and by the year 2035, the combined GDP of the AfCFTA market, is estimated to be close to US$ 7 Trillion. That means that there are opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and young entrepreneurs to export across regions of the African continent, and to take advantage of this vast market.. This will induce investments, result in pooling of African resources to enhance structural transformation and the development of regional value chains. Benefits of the AfCFTA include:-
• Boosting employment opportunities;
• Increased food security through reduction of trade barriers on agricultural products;
• Increased competitiveness of African industrial products through harnessing the economies of scale of a continental wide market;
• Increased rate of diversification and transformation of Africa’s economy and the continent’s ability to supply its import needs from its own resources;
• Better allocation of resources, improved competition and reduced price differentials;
• Growth of intra-industry trade through regional value chains and development of geographically based specialisation;
• Reduced vulnerability of countries to external trade shocks by reducing the trade balance deficits of African Countries;
• Enhanced participation of Africa in Global trade and reduced dependency on aid and external borrowing.

[@unanisumbua5698]

Africa does not want to be a scare to anybody's conscience".We" do NOT want to be pitted,posed or VICTIMS anymore.It's Africa's time to tell it's story... #GBA

[@kofiakon2020]

We must write it now.they sabotaged the first time during 1963 but now through the power of most high our kneels down before our creator and maker the melanin spirit to guide through unity. Africa entirely United. One melanin kingdom.

[@kuntareacts9421]

We are the main component of our own destruction. Stop believing in superstition and start seeking tangible things.

[@Bio54633]

Are we not just building castles in the air? In pragmatic, realistic terms do we have the tools and the capacity to carry this through? The voice of reason and caution must not be neglected

[@johnkofi2688]

AFRICA`S TIME HAS COME!!!

[@kuntareacts9421]

John Kofi Nonsense that time has always been with us we just need to grab it.

[@macnosmutano4849]

Great step fo our continent. I hope to still be alive to see us adopt a common currency.

[@nosugarnocream8465]

Bells indeed

[@fideliak46]

U & I both🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@nosugarnocream8465]

@Red Pill prime bells

[@kuntareacts9421]

These are way lesser than baby steps why are we waiting till 2063 to implement these reforms. Space X will land a first man on Mars in 2024 and they only begun flying rockets in 2008. in 2020 universal healthcare will be in effect, the first full self driving vehicles will hit the roads. We are moving at a very slow pace!

[@eddutome]

👌👌

[@LeahsWALKABOUT]

Aloha from the U.S HAWAII. I will go back to West Africa ! The New Africa !

[@kenndemccrum8344]

When is the single African passport coming? When is the single currency and air travel coming? God bless mamma Africa!!! Time has come.

[@angelachikaebirim8894]

I can't wait for an African Union passport to become available to Africans. I will be the first in line to get one.

[@Facts-Over-Feelings]

@@MrAmhara STFU DEVIL

[@josephineajayi1403]

Step by step

[@josephineajayi1403]

@@MrAmhara naughty!

[@dukewilliam3660]

When there is prosperity, stability, economic equality , cultural understanding etc. You cant just open all the borders when there such great disparaties between countries. When there is ignorance, mistrust and prejudices. It will cuase an influx to countries that are perceived as doing better which will only cuase major problems and internal conflicts. Example South Africa xenophobia. You need a stable continent first.

[@sheritownsend7525]

This is great! The African diaspora wants soooo much for Africa to make it. It will have an impact on racism, colorism, poverty and pride in blackness. Most African Americans who don't want to identify with Africa, see Africa through Western eyes. Africa unity and rising will make all the difference in the world.

[@tonyjackson4745]

If Africa survive, our brothers and sister would thanks 🙏 you here in America

[@shakalalakoo]

AFRICA Woézonlooo!!! AFRICA Akwaaba!!! AFRICA Karibu...!! Asante

[@solohd1014]

hehe

[@denisesilva8073]

AFRICA UNITED= PAN AFRICANISME= FUTURE= BLACK PROUDNESS= BLACK LOVE ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@MrAmhara]

"Pan Africanism" is different from the African Union. Shut your nappy head up!

[@MrAmhara]

@Twin Turbine And? Most Arabs in Africa are Black.

[@MrAmhara]

@Red Pill prime You are a fool. Africa cannot prosper without finance and expertise. African Americans are the least qualified to "help" Africa. African Americans are the ones that need help. African requires help from China, Japan, Arabs, European man or whomever. This is reality.

[@awsomeclipsnow]

@Twin Turbine Actually, the super majority of North Africa are Berbers & Egyptians. Both populations have been culturally arabised to a certain extent, but they're not Arabs ethnically.

[@NonameWriter]

MrAmhara African Americans have the most patents out of any group in the diaspora lol. It’s pretty clear you’re fairly ignorant about AA history, but if you can see past your obvious hate, you might be surprised at the achievements AA have made & continue to make. If you can see past your hate, though judging by your need to leave several hateful “nappy headed” comments, I doubt you can. A pity for you...hate can leave you so blinded. How sad.

[@paultabi458]

I know that one day God will hear Afirica problem 😭😭😭😭😭 love u all. yours brother from Ghana

[@tentwenty7109]

We fool too much our trust in European very bad we think they are human beings than us very bad if u are fair am black but we bleach very bad why English is our language now n we fell ashamed speaking our own language very bad Africans

[@NewBaldwin]

God has listened to the African cry, but like a responsible parent has asked us to get moving and see what blessings are already in store. It starts with you.

[@jitendraprakash6063]

Dear African brothers, Keep European people out of your union. You will must grow. Love from India.🇮🇳

[@jitendraprakash6063]

@@kwameosei2104 Dear kwame, I am agree with your point, the main conflict with students so government act like mediator & punished the both sides either African or Indian. If someone engaged in drug so this is another issue.

[@jitendraprakash6063]

@@kwameosei2104 Dear i am agree with your point cast system in India. One of the old mind set in the India. Even we want to remove this & this on moving forward with very fast. If you want to remove the Indian from your country this is your choice. But before doing this thing learn from history & study the policy of India towards other nation. About the sidi Tribal, Adivashi & Dalit they are living peaceful in India. if any body do anything wrong to them they have to police send behind the bars.

[@aaminacalibadiye8862]

Thank you

[@jitendraprakash6063]

@@tamaduni police are arrest those types of people

[@teddybruscie]

@@jitendraprakash6063 Dude Drugs are fuckin awesome. Have you smoked weed before? It's awesome. But everyone loves drugs. If Africans weren't importing them Indians would be importing them so either way you go people are going to seek, obtain and use drugs. The way to go is to regulate it to promote safe and healthy drug use.

[@cavecrusherisdead]

Africa Unite ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@Musa-lw1hd]

Do you want like 1 country. I'm all for it

[@LHDCarsGermany]

A Very Good idea to have Free trade area.

[@AlvinAkin]

Proud of the great leaders of Africa that are not selfish but think about all Africans presently and in the future!!

[@aaminacalibadiye8862]

Well said

[@francis5279]

I feel so happy about the directions the African Union is taking. Its so much that, I feel emotional.

[@benrukorayo5201]

Amakuru marungi Good news

[@ngongdzenchuo6431]

That's the beginning of a single republic with one constitution, one head of state, one currency, one passport and one 'Foreign Ministry'., one people and one destiny.

[@americanoutside]

Long over due. I lived in Africa for 9 years and this is a reason to return. This is fantastic and a dream come true for people who advocated this a longtime ago! Bravo!

[@ahmedabdi4708]

Visit Somalia and Start Bussiness there

[@thehabial]

Hello AU, Thanks for this. Please, the free movement of people is needed urgently and xenophobia needs to stop; we are brothers and sisters!

[@solohd1014]

Yea true....We have bantus in kenya......zimbabwe and south Africa have Bantus also, we have nilotes in kenya , Sudan , and uganda also have nilotes which means we are all one.

[@devonpeters5273]

Do not forget our ancestors an de spirit. Will guide us

[@mbukusambukusa6952]

Julius Malema should be the first president of the United States of Africa.

[@rahmanattakusi8646]

Africa will never come together to be come a country, but we can help ourselves through trade and the rest, they should open up for anyone to travel to any African country without problems. For the travelling some African countries have issues with other Africans coming into their country and this is one of the reasons we can't come together a country.

[@user-xt1hb9wq2p]

@@rahmanattakusi8646 The risk of terrorism is seen as a main cause

[@shadybaba5379]

As a Nigerian, I can't wait for the day I'll be travel to South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana for vacation and not Dubai or some European country. Let's all unite Africa.

[@albertowusuansah8108]

My dream is to see a borderless Africa leading to one Africa which is Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s Dream coming true?????

[@ayyotube5224]

Very soon

[@motorcop505]

They can barely manage to govern their own countries with thousands of tribes and over 1,000 languages across Africa.

[@jpmaurice8474]

As a child this was also my dream, my thoughts- I am amazed today and curious as to why I would dream such dreams , have such thoughts ? As I did , A United Africa with a giant armed impenetrable wall around the entire continent to keep out all the insidious white european colonizing murdering thieves. I was like 9 years old , many many years ago. And finally now some facsimile of my dream/vision/thoughts.....Absolutely fascinating. I should very much like to go to Africa , and help. I believe Africa will require a Continental Military to protect the rights and well being and liberties of all African people's. And to check any outside military incursions on the African continent. Like China is currently. And to protect against insidious white european colonizing murdering thieves.

[@dukewilliam3660]

give it another 100 years, Africa is far from ready. Chase the freeloaders and thieves first then Clean the house and feed the children then we can start working on it. The Nkrumah dream has long been hijackd and we have sunk back into the pits of neo colonialism and china-tocracy.

[@dukewilliam3660]

@@motorcop505 yes they can. They just cant do it when thieves from Europe have broken in and are refusing to leave.

[@briank624]

AU needs to include those African nations of the West Indies...Haiti...JamaicaThis would be great way to bring ADOS into the fold...These two African nations can become out post...direct route home to AU mainland. THE HOLY AFRICAN EMPIRE...

[@CarmenGabrielAvle]

Ghana has already granted visa-free travel to Jamaicans, just give us a call when you get to the Accra International Airport, you are always welcome home.

[@peoplesperson4132]

Will America let them join?

[@thebridge5483]

Let’s go mama Africa 🇭🇹

[@coolestafrican1444]

It’s Time to untie our Armies as well!! We need a African Union Army in every African country

[@kmakiable]

Please open up opportunities for African youth. Access to finance, resources and information for young people is key

[@myrbl30akan60]

Music to my ears. God bless Mama Africa!

[@yonathanseleshi]

Well done.

[@lenovomango5059]

I'm so happy I can't wait to see that I love mama Africa😍

[@allanavery7537]

The implementation of a massive Train system from north to south east to west. Would strongly lift the trade deficit by over 65%. Which also will create jobs to build the rail ways, also to building the trains thats needed to support the neighboring countries.

[@derrickasiedu4601]

@Mwaniki Mwaniki ghana has started its own linking burkina faso in the north

[@arushanioshaka5600]

@@derrickasiedu4601 i hope they succeed

[@briant5685]

WE NEED A SINGLE AFRICAN CURRENCY,WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR AU,THESE TRADE AND MANY OTHER THINGS WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE IF WE HAVE A SINGLE CURRENCY

[@allanavery7537]

This is being implemented as we speak.

[@SThrillz]

That's not a good idea!

[@SThrillz]

@Mwaniki Mwaniki because each country needs to handle its currency fluctuation else they will have the problem with the Euro which is all the benefits of the currency is dictated by the richest countries and they determine the monetary policy for everyone else and that's why the EU is falling apart at the moment! Started with Greece then Britain then moving onto France. It will be better if all the countries agree to tie their individual currency to gold for instance but all of them having the same currency is not a good idea...IMO.

[@SThrillz]

@Mwaniki Mwaniki yeah because it practically is, the entire monetary policy of the EU is dictated by Germany's economy and when you have a trading block that large especially since African countries are vastly different it can be a really major problem if monetary policies are not flexible enough to suit each country instead of one size fits all with favours dictated by the big boys!

[@michaelbishop3439]

@@SThrillz but wait a minute Vini what if the one African currency IS backed by gold as well as rare minerals?

[@sonofsonghai1843]

I am proud of your work. Keep at it. We are winning at last.

[@fordhanson7416]

The Africa we want is the ideas you shares congratulations

[@josephineblom]

This makes me so proud 😭

[@eddutome]

Africa for Africans Love from Sao Tome and Principe

[@esperancaceita7]

Santola na casa. 💪🏿

[@dosseamedin1586]

The Free trade is a great start....

[@albertowusuansah8108]

Africa and China is a game changer for the world.This is the opportunity to achieve and build prosperity for Africa and the world.?????

[@olarinoyedavido.9057]

This will be great indeed if this become reality. May God help our us. Africa is my continent. Long live my father's land.

[@kofiakon2020]

The sunshine empire have unity through melanin kingdom spirit. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.

[@MrAmhara]

Shut up!

[@kofiakon2020]

@@MrAmhara why and who are you to tell me to shut up.

[@kofiakon2020]

@Bjarnþór thanks.but we the African people have our first spiritual unity inclination which through the sunshine kingdom which is existing but due to the slavery they been stolen and hidden in Vatican city and in temple of underground whereby they think we will never rise again. But soon and very soon we will.

[@kofiakon2020]

@Bjarnþór these 2 are actually 1 family dragon,=family Amorite.they are always on the contrary or opposition or worse enemy of African achievement and successfulness. They divided themselves into 2 family because of possession.and they murdered themselves.and when hungry and starvation took them they came to Africa to rub . Africans always family and family first.1 bread for all or 1 bowl for all the family till date. Soon Africa will understand each other and we unite and you know what I am saying very clear. The Arab mosque and Europe Vatican museums is the spiritual and equal evils and wickedness.

[@fruitsarelife148]

We will turn from the poorest to the global leader 😭🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️♥️

[@iammarwa]

Let's keep the Enemies far away !!! they don't want us united.

[@user-xt1hb9wq2p]

Imagine if every african polotician has this mindset like yours! Africa would have already been a Mighty Power

[@barakmoss1691]

I think the poor and small countries will face a lot of problems brother even worse than they are facing today

[@mohammedalinyei5994]

@@user-xt1hb9wq2p enemies you do realize that Somalis consider Kenyans to be their enemy which mean Somalis should keep Kenyans away?

[@thepeople3162]

One Africa,one people,one continent,let us come together as Africans and raise our flags higher to the sky

[@lyboearth3128]

We Africans are waking up finally. I loooooove mama Africa

[@gilmoreno6225]

It´s Time 4 AFRIKA to UNITE....and move on.....from Cape Vert....to all my africans brothers and sisters............ 1 LUV

[@zachariachilambe6707]

Thank you very much our leaders...it is my pride and the pride of my children children's Children and forever and ever...how I love AFRICA... AFRICA MY HOME!

[@kingsleyaigbe6279]

Wow tear of joy time for mama Africa to be great again..

[@carboy101]

I'm very excited about this and Africa's future. I hope to be apart of it.

[@eunicequaicoe420]

Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, may your smile on the hope, prosperity, and unity of Africa never fade. Africa is proud to own you all, oh our great leaders of old. Ebibiman da mo ase 🙏

[@kakapa4424]

power to the people

[@saidabdimudo6967]

I'm very optimistic CFTA will have enormous positive impact on the continent and its people

[@BW.342]

I'm so happy I found this

[@tulifranz9336]

Why are African men wearing suits and ties? Given the climate in Africa are there no African attire for men??

[@Ubuntu_1]

If we produce the suits here then it doesn't matter. No import of clothes though.

[@solohd1014]

Do you think the whole Africa is Hot.....You are wrong do your research first....

[@kingsly1337]

Foolish

[@philipo019]

This is such a retarded statement

[@red2theelectricboogaloo961]

well first of all there are cold places in africa. go to lesotho, for example, and report back.

[@angelachikaebirim8894]

I'm so excited to see this. It will be a game changer for all of Africa

[@DavidOfosuAppiah]

Great idea and concept ,Kwame Nkrumah will be happy and excited as #Africa reawakens and realises it's dreams and visions achieved for #Africa by #Africans

[@commonman80]

GROW MOTHER AFRICA, GROW...😍😍😍😊😊😊👍👍👍😎😎😎😎😎

[@cheickdiallo7297]

On attend beaucoup de vous mais felicition pour vos realisation et bon courage pour le reste

[@lydian175]

So glad to see and hear this in the Diaspora for the mother land 🌍❤️ Finding out my DNA 🧬 come the people of Wolof on my mother side in Senegal 🇸🇳, 🇺🇸🇸🇳🌍❤️😎🧬

[@bedecn262]

Let it start please! Before the ethnic crisis in Nigeria explodes beyond control. Of course Nigerian media don't talk about it because government has instructed them not to, but the ethnic crisis in Nigeria is a "time bomb"

[@ReuelNaidoo]

Super, unity is strength, let Africa shine.

[@agneskoloko6897]

Congregations to our Great Africa, Africans are the Greatest family on the planet, let us continue to love each other.

[@florencemasule8529]

Africa for Africans God bless Africa to be understood by the world ffor its global trading.

[@albertowusuansah8108]

African driving the force to integrate free trade amongst themselves to see progress prosperity bring developments democracy into the 21st history of empowerment.?????

[@franklintony2258]

This is just amazing

[@alas87rombo94]

Let not forget the creation of a powerful AFRICAN ARMY. Because, there is no development without security and stability. Keep in mind that these so called developed nations will always intrude our stability so that they can continue the colonization of Africa. It’s simple as that. We need to get ready for them. Enough is enough😭

[@BonsuBigWhale]

More than an army is needed. African need to arm its citizens a similar 2nd amendment deterrent.

[@osasBenComedy]

#BeanATV1 Wow l love video 👉🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸👉😘😘😘😘

[@afroman4035]

Praying for one market and passport! Never lose hope.

[@jpmaurice8474]

EXCELLENT, ACFTA IS AN OUTSTANDING AGENDA. I hope and pray, and wish you all the success in this most excellent endeavor. my people's.ASE !

[@m.niianyahyartey8116]

They don't want to sign but they are the first ones to move to neighboring countries to trade and do business. If they sign or not the majority has voted for one free trade area. No one should beg anyone to sign. Africa is on the move .

[@emmanuelobinyan1869]

So who you fucking referening to ? We have to do homework before we jump into the moving train

[@Withmansour]

keep up great work

[@the7thseven873]

YEAH!!! ✨💯✨ FINALLY!! 🤩

[@akanibaone7082]

We pray France is not involved in the CFTA. We also pray corruption, greed, bribery etc, is completely eliminated. We pray for men and women of integrity, with the boldness and with a backbone to advocate for what is right.

[@ballin4th]

in jesus' name

[@zephaniarutlokwana2891]

Thumbs up!!! You make a great sense for a sound legacy for the posterity. Industralized the countries, create benefiation from our raw materials and champion science and technology in our children's education to create needed engineers to put Africa in its former glory before colonization and slavery

[@candymaine2012]

Africa stay strong 💪🏾

[@onuebe7221]

With this step, there will be competitions and most African countries won’t want to lack behind. But let it be within themselves mostly, if not , it’s a wast of time. Go Africa we love you

[@wasajjaramathan3508]

We started to look forward african will be superpower

[@frankmokhine1947]

I am very impressed!

[@dw4077]

Basic education must be implemented for all children growing up in Africa. This is the beginnings of learning both french and English-language for improved performance in moving towards emancipation.

[@geixiong5749]

Roads and High Ways... Africa ! Roads and High Ways....A tree has to have branches to grow leaves .

[@akuotkulang6778]

if there is something i know as an african, "hakuna masika yasiyo na mbu" This deal is too good to be true thus needs more research.

[@leviisrael9896]

Great move !!!!!!

[@opokumaxwell3689]

Bob Morley story Africa unity is the prosperity of africa is happening so diaspora should stand for it land to be built no one can do it only Africans can do it, Africa one currency should be used it is the development of Africa currency

[@carolinemorries6179]

Just no drugs or alcohol.

[@solohd1014]

Ofcoarse no country in Africa legalised drugs in there country

[@anirban5262]

Very good to see a united continent... God bless you

[@iluobeosazemhen507]

I can recognize those machinery any where .... That's bühler at work 😬✌🏾️

[@236Mars]

The United States of Africa is union way long overdue. Africa ni moja ( Africa = 1).

[@elemekperspective5795]

Ubuntu United state of Africa

[@jonathanharraway8639]

Together we stand divided we fall Africa Unite a new day a new time

[@PLBoogie]

We fight each other at the benefit of the West, yet we have known all along that the only way forward is unification. Isn't this what Gadaffi hoped and encouraged Africans to do? We have wolves amongst us, but no one can stop Africa if it unites....#bujubanto-unity ..hhtps://kzbin.info/www/bejne/hafZhmZ4rZWpqsk

[@ivanbarbosa81]

Beautiful

[@briangach4365]

This is giving me hope in the continent

[@1anre]

All these plans sound really good, but the common man wants results not another row of policies that just float in the sky without a direct impact and improvement on their livelihoods. Hoping the People, the Government & the Policy makers all join hands to make this real enough for our kids & grandkids to thank us for taking the first step in the right direction of bringing Africa together once again.

[@fidelisokore7494]

Fantastic

[@linzierogers6227]

It will succeed much quicker if the corruption is eliminated or at least lessened. Corruption is the elephant at the dinner table.

[@GhwalvaAli]

Great

[@askeldouglas421]

Congratulations AFRICA at last ,see the opportunists is huge ,but extraordinary

[@angelinamhalo3937]

More investmente in education for young people and adults.

[@gilbertojode5073]

Continental military n defense...to protect ourselves

[@nosugarnocream8465]

It's about time, and let the "uni currency, diasporic economic stimulus package- to start mass building the critical good infrastructure and quality schools for Africa to start innovating, and the diaspora needs democracy, institutions with checks and balances, a diasporic universal basic income to counter Africans dying at sea trying to reach western fortresses, consumer driven economy".... And let the sky be the limit

[@numerounoma3634]

Can anybody identify the gorgeous music from 2.16 to 2.58 please?!

[@frimpong-mansodigreat1880]

This is undoubtedly the biggest step to a united Africa. Our great Pan-Africanist must have lived to see these days. Kwame Nkruma, Gaddafi etc. Their ideas remain with us.

[@abrahamsitali7200]

Good idea. I hope we quickly learn from the EU struggles. Otherwise before long countries will feel suffocated and want out.

[@markreid8157]

One Africa ...one people...one love..one justice...one world for one humanity.

[@madismb6367]

LOVE AFRICA UNITÉS 💚🙏