afcftalatest news & developments
Timeless: The ideas expressed in the book are not relics of a bygone era
but a blueprint for the continent’s unfinished agenda.

Why Kwame Nkrumah still matters

Decades on, Kwame Nkrumah’s speeches read like a roadmap for Africa’s present challenges, from trade and unity to economic independence

Johannesburg’s inner city. Cities in Africa can benefit from genuinely affordable financing. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy, M&G

Rebooting the global financial system will pay dividends in Africa

Transforming the world’s monetary policies would benefit African cities and the continent’s public development banks have a key role to play

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the uncertainty of the new trading regime had already harmed the country’s economy

Brics leaders call for cooperation in protectionist global environment

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the uncertainty of the new trading regime had already harmed the country’s economy

Chinese ambassador Wu Peng. (X)

UPDATED: China trade to ‘soften blow of US tariffs’

China’s ambassador said South Africa’s call to narrow its trade deficit and diversify exports required building local beneficiation capacity

Minister Parks Tau. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

South Africa offers US a revised trade deal and seeks to diversify exports

Trade Minister Parks Tau said the US’s 30% tariff on exports has necessitated a balanced response between renegotiation, trade diversification and protection from an import surge

Graphic: John McCann

AI must serve labour, not subjugate it, G20 labour group says

Labour federations said the digital economy could lead to further marginalisation of workers and called for platform accountability and job protection

Africa’s evolving merger-control ecosystem can serve as a driver for intra-African trade

Mergers without borders are emerging, led by changes to African nations’ laws and regional bodies

The continent’s regional regulators are building frameworks to simplify cross-border compliance and national authorities are adapting laws to support these ambitions

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System seeks to liberate the continent from the dollar without waiting for a common currency – but there are hurdles to overcome. File photo

Can Africa trade without the dollar?

If Africa can trade with itself, on its own terms, in its own currencies, it could rewrite the rules of global commerce

The push for a visa-free Africa gained renewed momentum with Ghana’s endorsement of the Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign

Ghana endorses bold campaign for a visa-free Africa

Advocates say it is essential for unlocking the continent’s economic and cultural potential

South Africa accounts for 54% of all exports to the US under Agoa — a trade law which  gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the US market for thousands of products including clothing, agricultural goods, crafts and manufactured items.

30% tariff, 0% respect. Why South Africa must push back against US bullying

Donald Trump’s ‘solution’ to South Africa avoiding the tariff hike – move production to the US – is nothing more than economic blackmail

Green hydrogen is hydrogen gas made from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. (File photo)

Africa’s green industrial future hinges on global trade and investment reform

The continent has what is needed to lead the green industrial revolution but it can’t do it without building its trade and investment partnerships

The wine, steel, vehicle and insurance sectors are among those most affected by protectionist US tariffs.

US tariff shake-up sends ripples through African trade and global supply chains

This latest wave of tariff changes signals a broader trend toward economic nationalism and trade realignment.

USAid has promoted policies that prioritise large-scale agribusiness and monoculture farming, often at the expense of local food sovereignty and traditional farming methods.

USAid withdrawal: A blessing in disguise for Africa

When nations develop and implement self-sustaining policies, they build resilience against external shocks and gain the capacity to determine their own futures

The mining industry has the potential to grow if there is more investment in exploration projects. (Michele Spatari/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Confluence of geopolitics, energy and trade can drive change in Africa’s mining industry

The theme of the February 2025 Mining Indaba, Futureproofing Mining Today, underscores the urgency of aligning policy, investment and local development to secure sustainable growth

Over the next 12 months, the TradeConnect initiative aims to mobilise and transport 1000 containers of diverse goods worth US $ 1.2 million across the continent.

African businesses favour intra-continental trade over global markets

Businesses surveyed report that trading within Africa is easier than trading with the rest of the world

Imported goods are subject to customs duties and a 15% VAT rate based on their value, which must be paid to Sars. (Oupa Nkosi)

All you need to know about Sars’ increase on customs duties for online clothing orders 

The adjustments will affect consumers and the South African fashion industry

The future of the African Union: How many more days are left?

Founded on the principles of pan-Africanism 22 years ago, the AU has had its successes, but facing mounting issues of foreign funding, an inability to act on conflicts among member states, and claims it is stiflingly bureaucratic, it risks becoming another relic

The AfCFTA creates the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries, and has the potential to be a catalyst for the transformation and growth of African economies and businesses.  (Photo by Veronique DURRUTY/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

South Africa’s first exports under AfCFTA set sail

The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement creates the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries

Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

SA’s first exports shipped into Africa under African Continental Free Trade Area pact

Delegates from 40 African countries are in Durban to strengthen the agreement to boost intra-African trade