What is the outlook for regional trade integration in Africa?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is a major step for Africa’s role in international trade

Moderator:
Rem Korteweg, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

Panellists:
Katrin Kuhlmann, Visiting Professor of Law, Georgetown Law; President and Founder, New Markets Lab
Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

This podcast episode was recorded on 7 October 2020

The AIG Global Trade Series 2020 examines the ongoing transformation of the world’s multilateral trading system.

The global trade system is at a critical inflection point, under pressure from economic nationalism and protectionism across much of the world. Yet, in Africa, trade integration is moving forward, and fast. At a time when the system is under increasing pressure, the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement has been hailed as much needed commitment to the international rules-based order.

In this podcast, moderator Rem Korteweg of the Clingendael Institute is joined by Katrin Kuhlmann, Visiting Professor of Law, Georgetown Law; President and Founder, New Markets Lab and Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. Listen as they discuss the outlook for regional trade integration in Africa, and what impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on African economies.

Can the AfCFTA live up to expectations, integrating markets and overcoming fragmentation, to deliver inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent? With Sub-Saharan Africa entering a recession for the first time in 25 years, how can global and regional trade be part of the post-pandemic recovery? And with firm leadership being shown from African leaders in the trade-sphere, should we expect a more active role for the continent at the World Trade Organization and on the global trade stage?

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