Africa: Trade Agreements

(asked on 10th February 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage countries in Africa to sign up to the African Continental Free Trade Area.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 24th February 2020

54 of the African Union's 55 member states have signed the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and 28 of those have so far deposited their instruments of ratification with the African Union Commission (AUC). The UK is supporting the initiative by providing technical assistance, including the secondment of an investment expert to the AUC. We are also spending over £400 million annually across Africa to help countries break down barriers to trade - supporting critical trade infrastructure like ports and roads; tackling burdensome regulations, high transport costs and delays at customs; and building trade skills so that partner countries are better able to take advantage of trading opportunities. The AfCFTA was an area of focus in the trade and investment session at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on 20 January, with AUC Chairperson Faki outlining progress to date to UK investors.

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