Noting that open global trade has had positive effects for African industrialization and development, the report reviews WTO support for trade facilitation initiatives, the Aid for Trade initiative, the Trade Development Facility, and other policy mechanisms that enable increased trade capacity on the continent. In the African region, the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce trade costs by an average of 16.5%. However, the WTO’s efforts have supported trade development on the continent through a broad range of agreements and programmes, including the Aid for Trade initiative. Other programmes highlighted within the report include the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force in 2017 following WTO members’ domestic ratification processes. [Publication: Strengthening Africa’s Capacity to Trade] [WTO News Release]

Source: The North Africa Journal March 29, 2021 18:56 UTC