COMPILED ANNEXES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a trade agreement among 54 African Union member states. The Annexes of the AfCFTA provide detailed information on specific aspects of the agreement. Here is a brief summary of the main points covered in the Annexes:

1. Annex I: Trade in Goods – This Annex covers rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. It also outlines the schedule for the liberalization of trade in goods, which involves the elimination of tariffs on 90% of goods over a period of five to ten years.
2. Annex II: Trade in Services – This Annex covers the liberalization of trade in services, including the establishment of national treatment and the elimination of restrictions on the supply of services. It also covers the temporary movement of natural persons for business purposes.
3. Annex III: Investment – This Annex covers the promotion and protection of investment, including the establishment of a framework for the settlement of disputes between investors and states.
4. Annex IV: Intellectual Property Rights – This Annex covers the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
5. Annex V: Competition Policy – This Annex covers the promotion of competition in the AfCFTA region, including the prohibition of anti-competitive practices and the establishment of a competition authority.
6. Annex VI: E-Commerce – This Annex covers the promotion of e-commerce in the AfCFTA region, including the establishment of rules for electronic transactions, consumer protection, and data protection.
7. Annex VII: Small and Medium Enterprises – This Annex covers the promotion and support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the AfCFTA region, including the establishment of a framework for the exchange of information and best practices.

Overall, the Annexes of the AfCFTA aim to promote economic integration and growth in the African continent by removing trade barriers, promoting investment, protecting intellectual property, and fostering competition and innovation.

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Author: AITRC 2