african continental free trade arealatest news & developments
Speaking in tongues: While Washington sought to scupper the success of the G20 Leaders’ Summit hosted by South Africa and actually boycotted the event, American business was in the plenary halls and vocal at the B20.

B20: A catalyst for Africa’s luxury renaissance

The world is moving from borrowing African aesthetics to embracing African authority

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
(Graphic: John McCann)

Agoa’s expiration could present trade opportunities for African nations

US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have not fully taken effect yet, but the global trade system must prepare to absorb their impact, experts say

  • Aarti Bhana
4 min read
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

6 min read
Intra-African trade rose by 12.4% to $220.3 billion in 2024 compared with the previous year, according to Afreximbank’s African Trade Report 2025. (Wikimedia Commons)

African Continental Free Trade Area members urged to act faster

Tariff threats from the US and uncertainty over the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act make it imperative to get the AfCFTA going in full force

  • Aarti Bhana
4 min read
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola (left) and Minister of Trade Parks Tau (right) during a briefing on Monday. (DIRCO)

South Africa seeks new export markets as US tariff looms

While the government negotiates a mutually beneficial deal with the US, it says it is making plans to diversify its export marke

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
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

4 min read
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

8 min read
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

  • Eyaaz
2 min read
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

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane. (David Harrison)

Maimane: ‘Whether you and I accept it or not our relations with the US are crucial’

The Build One South Africa leader said South Africa had neglected its relations with the US with the underlying mantra that to be anti-west is to be progressive

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
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

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
The Bill aims to consolidate border procedures between South Africa and its neighbours at land ports of entry and is seen as a tool to improve efficiency and unlock regional economic integration.

Border reform Bill welcomed, but rights concerns dominate public submissions

Organisations such as the South African Bishops’ Conference, Lawyers for Human Rights and Cosatu have urged revisions to protect human rights, combat corruption and clarify legal authority in joint control zones

  • Des Erasmus
3 min read
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgotsientsho Ramokgopa was among a delegation of government officials and business leaders who sought to drive home that message during an investment session at the African CEO Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Tuesday.

South Africa woos international investors at Africa CEO Forum

Brand SA has invited global businesses to partner in infrastructure projects in energy and logistics

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
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.

6 min read
South Africa needs to maintain and secure other markets, in addition to negotiating lower tariffs with the US. Photo: Supplied

As Trump tariffs kick in, SA farmers explore alternative markets

The country was slapped with a 30% ‘reciprocal’ tariff – now on pause for 90 days – on exports to the US with some exemptions, but these don’t include agricultural products

  • Sheree Bega
11 min read
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

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
Ramaphosa has made it his business to woo international investors and, through his annual South African Investment Conference, he raised R1.5 trillion from 2019 to 2023. (GCIS)

Sona: South Africa is ready for growth and investment

The president said the focus was on investment in infrastructure for transport systems, reforming state-owned entities, fixing water and sanitation, the green economy and energy

  • Eyaaz
9 min read
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

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
Liberalising aviation policies, including easing outdated ownership and capitalisation regulations, would boost Africa’s growth

Africa’s aviation sector needs open-skies agreements

Liberalising aviation policies, including easing outdated ownership and capitalisation regulations, would boost Africa’s growth

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
Rather than try to play catch-up with international banks, local players should tend their own garden and make a big push for easier payments, digital solutions and maybe even come up with innovative approaches specifically tailored for the African market. (Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

African finance has what it takes to fill the void left by foreign banks

Local players have several advantages they can leverage to improve payment infrastructure and ensure the continent has a robust financial sector

  • Eyaaz
4 min read