African Continental Free Trade Area

With abundant resources and growing consumer market, Africa can become a prominent manufacturing destination for tech-intensive industries and a key link in global supply chains.

President Ruto: "We strongly believe that UNCTAD is a strategic partner for Kenya."

The organization will continue to support the continent’s countries to cope with ongoing multiple and interrelated crises, and build resilience to future shocks.

UNCTAD calls for reforms to existing rules to help the continent’s companies take advantage of African free trade agreements.

They will scale up partnerships to maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of African countries.

The continent’s free trade area, a growing middle class, an emerging consumer market, increased access to financial services and technology, and dynamic private entrepreneurs can help diversify African economies.

The series explores how major economic events affect developing countries. In the second episode, UNCTAD’s Africa director Paul Akiwumi talks about the urgent need for economic diversification on the continent.

By Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD

But the world’s largest free trade area needs measures to boost productivity and expand opportunities.

UNCTAD says the African Continental Free Trade Area could boost intra-African trade by up to 33% and cut the continent’s trade deficit by 51%.