But CSOs say carrying out negotiation virtually will defranchise majority of the stakeholders Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | African Business leaders across the continent have signed a joint letter calling for the ministers and heads of state to stick to the July 1 deadline for the free trade agreement …
Read More »Is Africa really ready for the AfCFTA?
Can the African Continental Free Trade Area succeed where previous free-trade initiatives have failed? Dianna Games weighs up the issues. Africa heads into a historic year in which the long-awaited African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) finally becomes a reality, with trading under the scheme scheduled to begin on 1 …
Read More »Roadshow to help Rwandan businesses tap into AfCFTA
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced a roadshow in Kigali to show the Rwandan private sector how it can become a primary beneficiary of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which will provide significant opportunities to access the largely untapped markets and …
Read More »I am optimistic about Africa’s future
Bience Gawanas is the special adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General. She spoke to the Africa Renewal’s Zipporah Musau on her role and priorities for 2020 What would you say are the three biggest challenges facing Africa today? I would rather talk about the opportunities in Africa. I want …
Read More »Tariffs and intra-Africa trade
Significant reduction or elimination of tariffs would boost intra-Africa trade to more than 50% COMMENT | DAMALI SSALI | There are several factors that influence the value and volume of trade. However, tariffs on tradeable goods and services are one of the most significant. International trade grew dramatically in the …
Read More »AfroChampions Initiative presents $1trn AfCFTA investment framework
The AfroChampions Initiative held its second conference on sustainable green growth and industrialisation in Kigali, Rwanda. Kigali, Rwanda | TOM COLLINS | The AfroChampions Initiative, a set of public-private partnerships designed to leverage resources and funds to create more multinational corporate champions in Africa, has proposed a $1trn investment framework …
Read More »COMMENT: Tariffs and Intra-Africa trade
Significant reduction or elimination of tariffs would boost intra-Africa trade to more than 50% COMMENT | Damali Ssali | There are several factors that influence the value and volume of trade. However, tariffs on tradeable goods and services are one of the most significant. International trade grew dramatically in the …
Read More »Uganda to host 55 African Customs experts at Munyonyo
Uganda Hosts the 11th African Union Sub Committee of Directors General of Customs Conference from 16th – 20th September 2019, at Speke Resort Munyonyo Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda will September 16-20th host Directors General and Commissioners of Customs from 55 African Union (AU) member countries. The …
Read More »How URA Customs is positioned to champion AfCFTA Agreement
The African Continental Free trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement: How is URA Customs positioned to champion this agenda? GUEST COLUMN | DICKSONS KATESHUMBWA | The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Customs department was central in the negotiations that culminated in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Whereas legally binding effective on 30th …
Read More »Africa’s free trade area: the journey begins
The African Union launched the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at a summit in Niger last month. Vera Songwe is the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa that has been providing support for the AU during negotiations and ratifications. She spoke to …
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