Mauritius And The AfCFTA Part 1: Trade In Goods

Overview

This article is the first of a series analysing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its implications for the Mauritian business community. This first article explores the Protocol on Trade in Goods.

The AfCFTA is a landmark trade agreement, constituting the largest free trade area in the world in terms of the number of participating countries. The Agreement, which brings together 54 African countries and eight regional economic blocs, represents a combined population of 1.3 billion and total GDP estimated at USD 3.4 trillion. The AfCFTA aims to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on almost all trade in goods and services.

46 Member States have ratified the Agreement as of July 2023. The Agreement comprises the following protocols: Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Dispute Settlement, Competition Policy, Investment and Intellectual Property Rights. The Protocol on Digital Trade and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade