African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a Strategy for the Development of Africa: Myth or Reality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ijsscs.v2i1.6487Keywords:
AfCFTA, Economic Development, Industrialisation, Intra-African Trade, Policy Implementation, Regional IntegrationAbstract
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is framed as a transformative strategy for accelerating Africa’s socio-economic development by boosting intra-African trade, fostering industrialisation and deepening regional integration. Since trading commenced in 2021, expectations have risen that the AfCFTA will mitigate market fragmentation and reduce long-standing trade barriers. However, its actual developmental impact remains uncertain due to uneven implementation, infrastructure deficits and persistent non-tariff barriers. This study therefore examines whether the AfCFTA is emerging as a realistic engine of development or remains largely aspirational. Adopting a qualitative, desk-based research design, it synthesises recent literature from 2021 to 2025, focusing on implementation progress, early trade and industrial outcomes, and key structural and institutional challenges. The findings suggest that, although the AfCFTA holds strong potential to promote industrialisation, diversification and intra-African trade, its developmental impact is highly contingent on effective implementation and complementary national and regional policies. The paper argues that deeper commitment to trade facilitation, sustained investment in infrastructure, institutional strengthening and targeted support for productive capacity especially among SMEs are essential if the AfCFTA is to move from promise to tangible developmental reality.
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