Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and the People behind the AfCFTA

In this edition of the Trade Talks Africa newsletter, we provide comprehensive updates on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), highlighting both milestones and ongoing challenges. The newsletter covers progress on trade in goods, including tariff schedule submissions, verification, and gazetting; the establishment of AfCFTA Trading Companies and their role in facilitating cross-border trade and industrialisation; developments under the Competition Protocol to ensure fair business practices; and advancements in trade in services, including mutual recognition of qualifications and sectoral commitments. 

This fifth Issue reports on the Dispute Settlement Mechanism, national readiness assessments, and the establishment of National Implementation Committees (NICs), providing a holistic snapshot of Africa’s journey toward a fully operational continental market. In addition, it features insights from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance’s recent visit to China, which followed the Africa–China Conference held in September. The visit sought to strengthen partnerships with leading Chinese institutions and advance the conference’s objectives. It fostered collaboration in key areas such as policy development, infrastructure, green industrialisation, and climate resilience, aligning closely with Africa’s development priorities and the commitments outlined under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Stay informed. Stay engaged. 

Trade Talks Africa | Editor-in-chief
Dr Noncedo Vutula

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AfCFTA Implementation: Progress, Challenges, and Momentum

Significant strides have been made in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which reflects growing commitment from member states. To date, forty-nine of the fifty-four signatory countries have ratified the Agreement, marking steady progress toward full continental participation. Under the Protocol on Trade in Goods, fifty tariff schedules have been submitted, forty-eight technically verified, and twenty-five gazetted. However, challenges remain in finalising tariff offers and Rules of Origin (RoO) negotiations, with 92.43% of tariff lines agreed and ongoing discussions in sectors such as textiles and automotive.

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Private Sector Engagement

In a promising sign of private sector engagement, nineteen AfCFTA Trading Companies have been established across ten countries. These companies provide logistical support, market intelligence, and cross-border trading services, helping to connect small producers and SMEs to new markets while overcoming barriers such as fragmented transport systems and limited market information. Beyond facilitating trade, they act as catalysts for industrialisation, promoting value-added production and encouraging greater private investment in Africa’s emerging single market.

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Ensuring Fair Competition
                                                     
Under the Protocol on Competition Policy, four key regulations have been developed to ensure fair business practices across the continent. The Regulations on the thresholds for mergers and acquisitions notification and dominant position, the Regulation on the powers and procedures of the AfCFTA Competition Authority, the Regulation on the AfCFTA Competition Tribunal and the Regulation establishing the AfCFTA Competition Network. A fifth Regulation on competition in the digital platform markets is being developed to ensure fair, transparent and contestable online platform markets in Africa, Together, these rules aim to create a level playing field, foster innovation, and enhance consumer welfare across the continent.

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Advancing Trade in Services

Progress is also evident under the Protocol on Trade in Services, where twenty-four Schedules of Specific Commitments have been adopted in the five priority sectors. Work continues regulatory frameworks and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to facilitate professional mobility, while preparations are underway for the next round of negotiations covering additional sectors. The Protocol has also laid important groundwork for the mutual recognition of qualifications, enabling African countries to acknowledge each other’s professional credentials and licenses a key step toward enabling the free movement of skilled professionals.

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Strengthening Implementation and Monitoring

The Dispute Settlement Mechanism has advanced with the appointment of a new Appellate Body member and supporting legal instruments. On the monitoring front, Sierra Leone has completed its national readiness assessment, with others underway, and thirty-seven countries have now established National Implementation Committees (NICs) to coordinate progress at the domestic level. Standardised tools for tracking trade in goods, services, and digital trade are also being developed to ensure inclusive and data-driven implementation across the continent.

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• New learning opportunity to build provincial capacity for Africa’s economic integration and sustainable trade under the AfCFTA 
  
  AfCFTA Capacity Building Training Programme for Government, Business, and Development Partners
  
  The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town invites you to the AfCFTA Capacity-Building Training Programme for Government, Business, and Development Partners.
  
  Date: 26 - 28 November 2025 (2½ Days) 
  Location: Cape Town 
  Format: In-person (interactive sessions, keynote presentations, case studies, group discussions)
  Fees: R 18,500 per person. This covers tuition, course materials, and catering on training days. Travel and accommodation costs are excluded. Click here to complete a registration form.
  
  Please download the flyer to view training outcomes and payment details.
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                                                                Inside the Nelson Mandela School: What’s New?

From Dialogue to Action

Following the Africa-China Conference hosted by the Nelson Mandela School in September, the team from the School travelled to China to deepen partnerships with Chinese institutions.  

The delegation engaged with several provincial governments, policy think-tanks, and academic institutions to explore potential partnerships in strengthening capacity building in local governance and implementation of the FOCAC action plans. In addition, the delegation examined the mechanisms through which China coordinates national and local development, mobilises science and technology for industrial upgrading, and links planning to financing and implementation. These dialogues will support our work to strengthen the capabilities of African institutions to negotiate, design, and manage partnerships in ways that advance the continent’s long-term development goals. Outcomes from the visit include joint programmes on industry research initiatives, academic exchanges and capacity-building programmes that can support African governments and institutions in leveraging China-Africa partnerships for sustainable and inclusive development.

These partnerships are key to contributing to the implementation of commitments from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in alignment with Africa's development priorities covering key areas such as policy development, infrastructure, green industrialisation, and climate resilience.

Academic Corner

It is a final countdown, applications for the Master of Development Policy and Practice close on 30 November 2025!
The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town invites applications for this transformative programme designed for mid-level senior and emerging leaders, policymakers, and change-makers across the continent. Apply now and be part of a network driving sustainable change in Africa: https://bit.ly/Public_Governance