Delayed by Covid-19, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was announced for 1 January 2021 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU). But the fundamental question is whether Africa is ready to start this integration process which is one of the major flagship projects of the organization's Agenda 2063.

With less than 48 hours to go before the operationality of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to increase intra-African trade, the continent is holding its breath. Commercial players are eager to discover the new rules of the  game in this free trade market estimated at 1.2 billion consumers. Small-scale cocoa farmers in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) and Accra (Ghana) as well as large traders in Mombasa (Kenya) are eagerly awaiting this consolidated market. They hope to take advantage of the reduced tariffs to sell their products in this market rich in a cumulative GDP of $ 2.5 trillion. But the fundamental question is whether Africa is ready to start this integration process.

 
In a context of severity of Covid-19 (new forms of mutations of the virus), some analysts have expressed reservations about the date of operationality. According to them, the date should be postponed to better prepare the ground. On the other hand, others firmly believe that the pandemic must be a catalyst to boost this regional integration.

For the Senegalese economist Maissa Babou, the date chosen must be postponed because several member countries do not meet the convergence criteria. Covid-19, he points out, has finished bringing down all African economies.

According to a recent study,  countries have not yet reached consensus  on the criteria to be used on the continental macroeconomic convergence framework as well as on the steps and mechanism for monitoring.

ZLECA, believe it or doubt it?

Experts,  analysts ... institutions (World Bank, IMF ...) argue that the AfCFTA will be a boon for African countries. According to studies carried out, this market will have a considerable impact on several  sectors including industry, tourism and digital. It will generate an estimated revenue gain of $70 billion by 2040, compared to an Africa without the AfCFTA. Intra-African trade will increase from 15% to 25% by 2040, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Despite this strong  dose of optimism from donors and experts, some economists are playing the card of caution. The latter warn  and point to the rush on technical aspects including  the nature of rules of origin and tariff advantages. They  are convinced that the AfCFTA will come up against political, legal, infrastructural, financial and security issues.

 
Entered into force in July 2019 in Niamey (Niger)  at the end of the historic summit of the African Union (AU), the AfCFTA will increase the current rate of intra-African trade from 15% to 52.3%, according to a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).