African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and World Trade Organization (WTO): Complementary or Conflicting Agendas?

Abstract

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) share a common goal of promoting free trade and economic integration. However, their agendas may also conflict, particularly in tariff liberalization, trade facilitation, and dispute settlement. This study examines the relationship between AfCFTA and WTO, exploring the potential for alignment and conflict between their agendas. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining desk research, interviews, and case studies to collect and analyze data. The findings highlight areas of complementarity between AfCFTA and WTO, including the potential for AfCFTA to enhance Africa's participation in global trade and the WTO's role in providing a framework for AfCFTA's implementation. However, the study also identifies areas of conflict, including the potential for AfCFTA's tariff liberalization to conflict with WTO's most-favored-nation principle and the challenges of aligning AfCFTA's dispute settlement mechanism with WTO's Dispute Settlement Body. The study concludes by providing recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that AfCFTA's implementation aligns with WTO's rules and principles while promoting Africa's economic development and integration.