Winners and losers in Africa's Continental Free Trade area: AfCFTA accord has potential to both enhance and disrupt regional economies.

• Date: 01 October 2018
• Author: Akeyewale, Rilwan

Leaders of 44 African countries endorsed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in March this year. Since then more countries, including South Africa, have joined in.

The agreement is expected to favour small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), which are responsible for more than 80% of Africa's employment and half its GDP.

Obviously, any economic policy that facilitates imports and exports among member countries--with lower or no tariffs, free access to the market and market information, and the elimination of trade barriers --offers numerous benefits to SMEs. As history's largest free trade agreement, which has a market size in the region of $3 trillion, most people are excited at the development. However, sceptics have pointed to impending challenges, especially those which affect SMEs. These must be addressed if the AfCFTA is to achieve its objectives. But first, let's look at who stands to gain.

THE WINS

1. New markets

   The AfCFTA will allow African-owned companies to enter new markets. This expands their customer base and leads to new products and services, making investing in innovation viable.

2. Economic growth

   Manufacturing represents only about 10% of total GDP in Africa on average, well below the figure in other developing regions. A successful continental free trade area could reduce this gap. A bigger manufacturing sector...