Human rights-oriented trade policy research.
Beyond numbers - How AfCFTA tariffs impact a human rights-oriented conception of development in Africa
The AfCFTA is an ambitious integration project, with tariff liberalisation at its core. Yet beneath the technical jargon of tariff schedules lies a profound human dimension that is often overlooked.
When Egypt categorised almost all dairy products for rapid liberalization while ECOWAS took a more cautious approach, they weren't just making technical trade decisions - they were shaping the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers.
This article examines how AfCFTA tariffs impact vulnerable groups across Africa, arguing for a broader interpretation of the "acquis principle" that would align trade policies with the continent's comprehensive development agenda.
By analysing dairy sector case studies and proposing a human rights-centered approach to tariff negotiations, it demonstrates how AfCFTA implementation could be transformed to ensure that economic integration benefits all Africans, not just those already positioned to compete in liberalised markets.
The technical aspects of trade policy - often relegated to closed-door negotiations among experts - deserve greater scrutiny regarding their alignment with Africa's commitments to human rights and inclusive development.
Beyond regional silos - How reinterpreting the AfCFTA acquis could transform African integration
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents one of Africa's most ambitious integration projects to date, with the potential to boost intra-African trade by 52% and lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty.
However, five years into implementation, progress has stalled due to persistent negotiation deadlocks and implementation challenges. This article argues that a fundamental misinterpretation of the "preservation of the acquis" principle lies at the heart of these difficulties.
Current implementation approaches have reinforced fragmentation rather than integration by focusing on existing regional trade arrangements rather than the broader African Union legal framework. This research demonstrates how a broader interpretation of the AfCFTA acquis could transform the agreement from a traditional trade instrument into a genuine driver of development-led continental integration.
This reinterpretation offers a pathway to fulfill the agreement's transformative promise and advance Africa's comprehensive development agenda.