African Trade Policy Centre

EGM - The State of Urbanization in Africa

Internationally agreed development Agendas recognize regional and international trade as a primary means for development and prosperity. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes it an engine for poverty reduction and economic growth, and as a primary vehicle to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, SDGs call for a more open trade that benefits developing countries. Trade and regional integration is also prominently featuring in the Agenda 2063 “The Africa we want” in various ways.

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ECA’s Executive Secretary asks Africa to seek new sectors under AfCFTA to industrialize and create jobs

Addis Ababa, 16 November 2020 (ECA) –The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Vera Songwe today said as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goes into operation next year, the continent must find new sectors and the skills needed to deliver the industrialization to satisfy the aspirations of its youth.

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ECA Calls for Ambition in the AfCFTA at Annual Bank of Namibia Symposium

Addis Ababa, 16 November 2020 (ECA) - The Bank of Namibia held its 21st Annual Symposium on 5 November under the theme of “Positioning Namibia to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.” Representing the United Nations System was the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ms. Vera Songwe, who spoke on “How to position Namibia to reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area - Experience and lessons from other countries. “

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African Continental Free Trade Area could expand opportunities for women, say ATPC-SADC webinar panelists

Addis Ababa, 13 November 2020 (ECA) -- The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC)-Women in Business, and the SADC Business Council webinar on women’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 12 November closed with an assurance to bridge the gender gap on the continent.

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Africa’s success in mobilising power of its youth will deliver AfCFTA promise

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 12, 2020 (ECA) - The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) provides a critical opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including youth-led enterprises engaged in cross-border trade, to participate in the development of regional value chains, more easily meet the standards of continental markets, and supply inputs to larger companies in their regions, with targeted support.

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African Trade Policy Centre, SADC Business Council host webinar on Women’s participation in AfCFTA

Addis Ababa, 11 November, 2020 (ECA) – The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC)-Women in Business, and the SADC Business Council is organizing tomorrow a webinar on women’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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AfCFTA expects a wave of ratifications following Angola

Addis Ababa, 8 November 2020, ECA -- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement expects several ratifications from member countries following Angola's deposit of its ratification instrument with the African Union last week.

Angola's ratification makes it the 30th country to become a State Party to the AfCFTA Agreement. The Angolan move comes less than two months before trading based on the AfCFTA Agreement is scheduled to start on 1 January 2021, thereby raising hopes that more countries will follow Angola's lead before the end of the year.

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