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Will COVID-19 Derail AfCFTA Start of Trading?

Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations by Afro Champions

In early March 2020, Afro champions completed its African continental free trade area ( AfCFTA ) Year Zero Report: an assessment and ranking of African governments according to their level of commitment to the AfCFTA and their readiness for Start of Trade in July 2020.

The findings proved revealing: some of the least committed countries to AfCFTA (Such as countries yet to ratify the agreement were among the most prepared logistically to take advantage of trading. Conversely, some of the most committed countries to the AfCFTA were also the least prepared for start of trade.

And despite the great enthusiasm for AfCFTA among citizens and businesses, the AfroChampions assessment found that the continent as a
whole had a commitment and readiness level that was below 50%. Just as we were about to publish the report, COvID-19 struck the continent.

Since then, a lot has changed and is changing rapidly. A continent that Was looking forward to opening its borders to a new trade revolution starting July 2020, now has almost all of its borders shut in order to fight the pandemic.

What will happen to the AfCFTA? Will COVID-19 worsen countries preparedness and commitment to AfCFTA? Below we highlight some of the ways the pandemic is already impacting AfCFTA and threatening the July Start of Trade. We make recommendations to salvage and keep AfCFTA on track.

How COVID-19 is impacting AfCFTA preparedness
How to Salvage and Keep AfCFTA on Track amidst COVID-19 Disruptions

The March 2020 opening and Operationalization of the Accra Secretariat has delayed. AfCFTA Secretary-General has been sworn in but is without the full complement of secretariat teams due to disruptions to recruitment and staffing

AfCFTA negotiations should continue via online and video -conferencing platforms. If done right virtual negotiations could prove to be even faster and cheaper than face to face meetings for certain aspects of the negotiations process.

Fast – moving AfCFTA negotiations have slowed down as negotiating teams cannot travel. Consequently various meetings or ministers and senior officials necessary for crucial deliberations, decision-making and approvals have staled.

The July 2020 date for Start of AfCFTA trading should not be postponed even if the pandemic persists into July. If AfCFTA trading can take off in the middle of this battle – even if symbolically will send a strong signal , it should be one of the symbolic victories for Africa in the crisis. Initial AfCFTA trade can tackle a critical focus needed to fight the pandemic Such as pharmaceuticals and food products. Governments should ease border crossings for these goods. The AfCFTA can be one of Africa’s main
weapons to beat CoVID-19.

The highly anticipated July 2020 Start of AfCFTA Trading timeline is at risk in COVID-19 firefighting means there is significantly reduced attention span
for AfCFTA issues among governments, policymakers and the private sector.

COVID-19 will likely worsen some countries commitment and preparedness to implement the AfCFTA. We expect the AfroChampions , AfCFTA countries commitment and
readiness rankings to be revised

The AfCFTA Secretariat, which is temporarily operating out of Addis Ababa, should continue with its staff recruitment and operationalize a fully functional virtual office with newly recruited teams working virtually from their homes across the continent.

READ MORE OF THE REPORT BELOW.

Source: www.xplonlinegh.com
Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi
Odopa2@gmail.com

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