Contact

CDH Insights on African Continental Free Trade Area

Back to top

CDH Insights on African Continental Free Trade Area

In this inaugural publication on the African Continental Free Trade Area, CDH experts provides their expert insights on various elements of the AfCFTA.

30 Jul 2021 1 min read AfCFTA Alert Article

At a glance

  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world's largest trade area, encompassing 54 African states with a population of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
  • Benefits for business players in Africa under AfCFTA include tariff reduction or elimination, removal of non-tariff barriers, free movement of employees and capital, investment protection, liberalized policies on competition and intellectual property, access to markets on favorable terms, and the creation of regional value chains.
  • The success of AfCFTA relies on promoting "Made in Africa" goods, establishing manufacturing capacity, and finalizing negotiations on Rules of Origin to ensure proper implementation and preference for African products. Effective dispute resolution mechanisms are also expected to improve trade governance in Africa.

In this inaugural publication on the African Continental Free Trade Area, CDH experts provide their insights on various elements of the AfCFTA spanning from competition, labour mobility, investments, and dispute resolution making it easier for African businesses to understand and unpack the benefits the AfCFTA holds for businesses on the continent.   

Click here to read the publication.

The information and material published on this website is provided for general purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We make every effort to ensure that the content is updated regularly and to offer the most current and accurate information. Please consult one of our lawyers on any specific legal problem or matter. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, which may arise from reliance on the information contained in these pages. Please refer to our full terms and conditions. Copyright © 2024 Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce an article or publication, please contact us cliffedekkerhofmeyr@cdhlegal.com.

You might also be interested in

11 Jul 2024

by Lena Onyango and Mike Ogutu

Let’s bake a tax-alicious appeal pie: A look at the crucial role of tax procedures in tax dispute resolution

To bake a perfectly delicious pie, one needs to get the right quality and quantity of ingredients and, more importantly, follow the recipe to the letter. In the same way, failing to follow the procedures for the institution and adjudication of tax disputes as set out in the Tax Procedures Act as read together with the Tax Appeals Tribunal Act, can be detrimental to anappeal. 

Tax & Exchange Control

5 min read

25 Nov 2024

by Desmond Odhiambo and Christine Mugenyu

Avoid costly mistakes: Why formal agreements are critical in mutual separations

What happens when a resignation is agreed upon without the clarity of a formal written agreement? The recent case of Mwenda v Afri Business LLP and Another KEELRC 2346 highlights the potential legal minefield employers face when mutual separations are not documented properly. While the court ruled in favour of the employer, the lack of a formal agreement nearly turned the tide in favour of the claimant. This case serves as a stark reminder that in employment matters, especially separations, formality and clarity are key to protecting your business from unnecessary disputes.

Employment Law

3 min read

22 Mar 2024

by Alex Kanyi and Mike Ogutu

An analysis of the Affordable Housing Act, 2024: Will this act survive the legal onslaught?

After what may seem like an eternal wait for the Government, the President finally put pen to paper on the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 (Bill) to enact it into law on 19 March 2024. The Affordable Housing Act, 2024 (Act) is intended to cure the pitfalls that were raised by the High Court in the case of Okiya Omtatah Okoiti and 51 Others v The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning and Six Others, Constitutional Petition No. E181 of 2023.  

Tax & Exchange Control

10 min read

17 Oct 2024

by Andries le Grange and Nelisiwe Khumalo

Navigating merger waters: The Competition Commission’s final guidelines on indivisible transactions

On 4 October 2024, the Competition Commission (Commission) published its final guidelines on indivisible transactions (Guidelines). The Guidelines provide clarity on the Commission’s approach when determining whether two or more separate transactions should be notified as a single, indivisible transaction. The Guidelines aim to ensure that merger parties understand when they are required to notify mergers as a single indivisibletransaction. 

Firm News

3 min read

21 Feb 2024

by Puleng Mothabeng

Don’t panic, help is on the way: Incentives for electric vehicles

Climate change has been a hot topic for many years now. It is, therefore, probably understood by most (if not all) that the effects of climate change will worsen as long as greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere. With no positive action to counteract or reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change extremities will worsen. As such, there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change globally.

6 min read

26 Jun 2024

by Nastascha Harduth

What’s wrong with business rescue?

According to recent Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) data, there has been a rise in company closures, with liquidations increasing by 14,3% in April 2024, when compared to April 2023. Further, according to the Fitch Ratings forecast of real gross domestic product growth, we will see an increase of only 0,9% in 2024 and at best 1,3% in 2025. Against this backdrop, and given our social, economic and political landscape, organisations in South Africa face real challenges, and business distress can beexpected.  

Firm News

3 min read

This website uses cookies to enhance the browsing experience. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Accept Decline