Africa free-trade vision clouded by virus and pace of talks

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement is supposed to take operational effect on Wednesday, July 1, but the coronavirus pandemic and slow negotiations hamper the deal.

"I know that Nigeria is committed to the agreement that we signed for the AfCFTA but of course COVID-19 has caused a delay in almost everything," Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said.In a shock move last August, Nigeria dramatically closed off its borders with neighbors, a move that it said aimed at preventing smuggling.

Among the big questions that have to be thrashed out are the rules of origin – the identification of the contents of a product that are the nuts and bolts of any free-trade accord – and detailed timetables for scaling back tariffs. "The regional economic communities remain, including the customs unions in Africa such as the EAC, ECOWAS, and so on," said Mene.

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