Highlights

Interregional coordination is growing. COMESA, EAC and SADC held their first Tripartite Summit in October 2008, where the Heads of State and Government of the three RECs agreed to establish a Free Trade Area (FTA). This Tripartite FTA brings together 26 African countries, with a combined population of 530 million people, and a total GDP of USD 630 billion, or more than half of the output of Africa’s economies. It has galvanized the interest of Africa’s policymakers towards a much broader Continental FTA. Accordingly, the African Union Ministers of Trade, at their 6th Ordinary Session in Kigali in November 2010, recommended fast-tracking the establishment of an African Continental Free Trade Area (C-FTA).

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions