The Economic Development Board in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat and GIZ organised an information workshop in Mauritius on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on 15-16 May 2024.
The objective of the workshop was to sensitise the private sector and other stakeholders about the benefits of the AfCFTA, the opportunities it represents for Mauritius and provided information on the AfCFTA operational instruments that would facilitate trade on the continent.
Participants had an overview of the AfCFTA, its objective, the scope of the Agreement including its supporting legal instruments (Protocols and Annexes), progress on ratification and implementation of the Agreement as well as ongoing initiatives to support the implementation of the AfCFTA such as the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI).
Participants were also apprised on the AfCFTA Operational Instruments namely the AfCFTA e-tariff book, AfCFTA Rules of Origin Manual, AfCFTA Online Mechanism for Reporting, Monitoring and Elimination of NTBs.
Experts from the World Customs Organisation, AfCFTA Secretariat, SADC Secretariat, MRA Customs and other local institutions were invited to build the capacity of operators to exploit the opportunities of the AfCFTA.
The information workshop was attended by around 80 participants both from the private and public sector.
About the AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a landmark initiative aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across Africa. It seeks to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers, harmonizing trade rules, and fostering economic integration among African countries. With the potential to unite 1.3 billion people and create a market worth $3.4 trillion, the AfCFTA promises significant opportunities for businesses and economies across the continent.
