Pan-African
How Africa’s free trade agreement moved from signature to trade
The African Union adopted the AfCFTA agreement in March 2018. It entered into force in May 2019, trading began under its provisions in January 2021, and a guided trade pilot followed in 2022.
Sources checked
- 2018-03-21Agreement adopted
Treaty text adopted Source 1
- 2019-05-30Entered into force
The legal agreement took effect Source 1
- 2021-01-01Start of trading
Trade started under the agreement Source 2
- 2022-10-08Guided Trade Initiative
Secretariat launched the pilot in Accra Source 3
Adoption, legal force, start of trade and a pilot represent separate milestones.
Four dates, four meanings
The African Union treaty record gives adoption and entry into force as separate milestones. The World Bank records January 2021 as the start of trade under the agreement’s tariffs. Source 1 Source 2
A practical test of the rules
The pilot brought participating countries together to test trading under the agreement. Check the relevant country’s tariff schedule and the rules of origin for a particular shipment. Source 3 Source 1
What traders check for a shipment
Start by identifying the good and its origin. Then look up the relevant tariff offer and the proof the importing authority requires. The treaty’s annexes provide the rules and schedules that sit behind the milestone dates. Source 1 Source 3