AfCFTA Scoop Issue 47
Reflection: Is Security a valid concern? Rethinking the Hesitation towards Africa's Free Movement Protocol
The African Union’s Free Movement Protocol (FMP) has struggled to match the enthusiasm seen for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Despite 33 countries agreeing to the FMP, only four have ratified it, with major players like Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia holding back. These nations cite concerns over security, border management, and economic imbalances. But are these reasons justifiable? Are the security fears truly insurmountable, or could enhanced regional cooperation under the FMP actually bolster security across borders? Is the fear of economic imbalances overshadowing the broader economic benefits of labor mobility and market integration? Are these countries missing out on the cultural exchange and economic integration that could come from free movement by focusing too narrowly on immediate challenges? If you want to delve deeper into these issues, tune into our latest podcast episode where we discuss the European University Institute’s publication titled "Opening up Africa for Africans: A Proposal in Support of the Protocol for the Free Movement of Persons." Don’t miss out on the critical insights and perspectives shared by our expert guests Silindile Mlilo and Kachi Madumuko!
This week, we spotlight:
The Standard Bank Africa trade barometer which gives an overview of the current cross border trade landscape of Africa.
An article sharing key takeaways from a joint webinar by the Afrikan Youth Business Council (AfYBC), the Labour, Employment, and Migration Division (LEM) at the African Union Commission and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, that explored the nexus of labour migration, trade and youth employment in Africa.
A new publication from ODI and Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) assessing the AfCFTA and the procurement of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
A video profile of how fashion entrepreneur Jennet Lemma is redefining Ethiopian manufacturing and trade.
Till next Week,
DevDispatch Team