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Africa


UAE, Kenya to commence talks over comprehensive economic partnership
The UAE-Kenya CEPA will be the first bilateral trade deal that the UAE seeks to sign with an African nation. Such an agreement will deepen trade and investment ties between Africa and the Middle East and boost the total value of UAE-Kenya non-oil bilateral trade,...
Trade deal with AfCFTA can open vast market for Indian textiles
Last year (2021), India shipped $0.743 billion of apparel to Africa, which was 4.99 per cent of its total exports of $14.912 billion, and in January-April 2022, apparel exports to Africa stood at $231.328 million.
Policymakers, businesses stress D-8 PTA implementation
Policymakers and business leaders on Tuesday emphasised the implementation of a preferential trade agreement the member countries of the Developing-8 (D-8) signed to facilitate trade and investments among the eight countries.
EAC common market scorecard falls short of expectations
Currently, trade between partners is at 20 percent, lower than the expectations of leaders at the time of the launch. EAC members are trading more with countries outside the bloc than partner states..
AfCFTA: Inconclusive rules of origin, trade in services delay commencement –NAC
The NAC scribe said it has been acknowledged that the gains from AfCFTA will only materialise through comprehensive and sustainable implementation focused on outcomes,...
Time is ripe for India to explore trade deal with AfCFTA: Commerce Secy
AfCFTA brings together the 55 countries of the African Union and eight regional economic communities to create a single market for the continent, with an aim to enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent
Tunisian employers call for a free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria
The Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) is campaigning for the signing of a free trade and free movement agreement between Tunisia and Algeria.
U.S., Kenya launch non-tariff trade and investment partnership talks
Kenya exported $685.1 million worth of goods to the United States in 2021, of which more than 75% entered duty free under AGOA, according to the Congressional Research Service
Israel eyes Ghana’s local agriculture production
The State of Israel which produces about $1.2 billion worth of agricultural inputs and technology has expressed its readiness to partner with indigenous companies to augment Ghana’s local production.
Kenya to lose highest revenue in continental trade agreement- research
“Kenya will incur the largest loss at $14.2 million, followed by Uganda at $13.5 million. Tanzania is estimated to register revenue loss of $5.3million, Burundi $4.3million and Rwanda $ 3.9,” the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)shows.
Africa: Weaponizing Free Trade Agreements
In April 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed US-Kenya FTA talks would resume. Observers believe the US-Kenya FTA, initiated by Trump in 2020, would help expand US ’carrot and stick’ trade and security policies on the continent to counter China.
Fossil fuel investment protection – it’s time for actions to speak louder than words
Political leaders and companies who are major contributors to climate change have expressed increasing commitment to playing a role in addressing climate change, but there appears to be a gap between these sentiments and negotiations...
Nigeria eyes global energy charter for investments
Nigeria is targeting to be part of the International Energy Charter (IEC), a global community that will enable it to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to accelerate power sector development.
European Parliament pushes for a new trade deal with Africa
The vote on the “Future of EU-Africa trade relations” focuses on five key themes: infrastructure, food security, civil society, fair trade agreements and sustainable economic development.
AfCFTA suffers setback as Benin Republic slams CFA9m on Nigeria-bound transit cargoes
The agreement was brokered by the African Union (AU) and was signed by 44 of its 55 member states in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, 2018. The only country still not to sign the agreement is Eritrea, which has a largely closed economy.
ECOWAS regional experts meet on the draft Ecowas common schedule of specific commitments on trade in services for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
To date, a total of forty-three (43) African countries are State Parties to the Agreement of the AfCFTA, including twelve (12) ECOWAS Member States.
Egypt, EAEU discuss launching new free trade agreement
Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea stated that a free trade agreement between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been negotiated.
Long-awaited Africa free trade area takeoff delayed by six states
Six countries drawn from three regional economic blocs are yet to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), delaying its implementation more than a year after it was formally launched in January 2021
Kenya, US revisit trade talks, agree to expedite process
US is pushing for favourable terms among them a duty free market access for its goods, including agricultural and industrial, in a move aimed at taming the growing dominance of China’s trade with Kenya.
US looks beyond delayed free trade deal in commercial ties with Kenya
The US government and Kenya early this month held a round of trade talks, which raised hopes of a fresh direction after the Biden administration froze Trump-era negotiations on the free trade agreement.