Trade in Goods

goods@au-afcfta.org

At their 7th Meeting held in Accra, Ghana on 10 October 2021, the Council of Ministers responsible for Trade approved a Ministerial Directive aimed at ensuring the implementation of the Decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the start of preferential trade under the AfCFTA. The Ministerial Directive will allow the start of preferential trade under the AfCFTA on the basis of the 28 technically verified offers that meet the minimum threshold of 90% of the tariff lines as well as other offers which will meet the 90 % threshold at a later stage.

Male hands of African man holds smartphone in front of laptop with trading charts on it
The Directorate of Trade in Goods and Competition at the AfCFTA Secretariat is tasked with facilitating the negotiations and implementation of the Protocols on Trade in Goods and Competition as well as providing the appropriate technical and other AfCFTA-related advice to the State Parties, and non-State Parties. The AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods aims to boost intra-African merchandise trade through several means. The first is the progressive elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers (NTBs). To realize the benefits of this first aim, the protocol seeks enhanced efficiency of customs procedures, trade facilitation, and transit. It also aims to enhance cooperation on technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The intended result is the development and promotion of regional and continental value chains and enhanced socioeconomic development, diversification and industrialization across Africa.

Compiled Annexes to AfCFTA Agreement

Schedules of Tariff Concessions

Click to download: Annex 1 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document

Rules of Origin

  • Appendix I under the Rules of Origin speaks to the Certificate of Origin
  • Appendix II highlights the Origin Declaration
  • Appendix III throw lights on the Supplier or products declaration
  • Appendix IV features the Rules of Origin

Click to download: Annex 2 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document

Customs Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance

Click to download: Annex 3 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document  

Trade Facilitation

Click to download: Annex 4 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document 

Non-Tariff Barriers

  • Appendix I under Non-Tariff Measures describes the General categorisation of potential sources.
  • Appendix II discusses the procedures for elimination and co-operation in the elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers.

Click to download:  Annex 5 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document

Technical Barriers to Trade

Click to download: Annex 6 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document 

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

Click to download: Annex 7 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document  

  • Appendix I under the Annex 8 talks about the notes for the use of the African Continental Free Trade Area Transit document
  • Appendix II highlights Relating to Technical Conditions Applicable to means of transport of Goods within the African Continental Free Trade Area Under Customs Seal.
  • Appendix III covers the areas on the Certificate of Approval of means of transport.
  • Appendix IV provides information on the Certifies Declaration form for the examination of contents means of transport.
  • Appendix V emphasises on the AfCFTA Transit Plates

Click to download: Annex 8 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document 

Trade Remedies

Click to download: Annex 9 to the AfCFTA Agreement Document 

Currently the ministerial directive actualize the trade under the AfCFTA among the following countries:

State Parties

  1. Democratic Republic of Congo
  2. Egypt
  3. Madagascar
  4. Malawi
  5. Mauritius
  6. Seychelles
  7. Zambia
  8. Cabo Verde

CEMAC Member States

  1. Gabon
  2. Cameroon
  3. The central African Republic
  4. Chad
  5. Republic of the Congo
  6. Equatorial Guinea

ECOWAS/Mauritania Member States

  1. Mauritania
  2. Benin*
  3. Burkina Faso
  4. Cabo Verde
  5. Côte d’Ivoire
  6. The Gambia
  7. Ghana
  8. Guinea
  9. Guinea Bissau*
  10. Liberia*
  11. Mali
  12. Mauritania
  13. Niger
  14. Nigeria
  15. Senegal
  16. Sierra Leone
  17. Togo
[i] * Subject to ratification

The Application of Provisional Schedules of Tariff Concessions - Ministerial Directive 1/2021

Acting pursuant to Article 11.3 (b) and (c) of the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA, according to which the Council of Ministers shall ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the Agreement, including by taking measures necessary for the promotion of the objectives of the Agreement
download file

Readiness for implementation

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC CEMAC 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC ECOWAS 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC Egypt 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC Madagascar 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC Mauritius 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC RDC 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC Seychelles 26.10.2021

download file

Not yet, Pending publication and notification from state party/ custom union

PSTC Zambia 26.10.2021

download file