An Inclusive African Continental Free Trade Area - Aid for Trade and the empowerment of Women and Young People

An Inclusive African Continental Free Trade Area - Aid for Trade and the empowerment of Women and Young People

The present report discusses the ways in which Aid for Trade can be used to support efforts to lower barriers to trade for women and young people, and promote inclusive gains from trade following implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area. Section 2 contains a review of the Aid for Trade developments in Africa based on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data and on priorities emerging from the 2019 joint OECD-WTO monitoring and evaluation exercise. Section 3 includes discussions on the opportunities and challenges presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area for young people and women, and ways in which Aid for Trade is currently addressing the barriers they face. Section 4 concludes with a proposal for a way forward in promoting trade inclusiveness in Africa.

Executive summary