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Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA)

AfCFTA

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) sets out to accelerate intra-African trade by creating a single market for goods and services across 54 AU member states. ODI’s policy-relevant analyses and evidence-informed insights aim to support the negotiations and implementation of the AfCFTA.

The Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme contributes to development goals of African economies and the UK’s efforts to support trade, investment and development on the continent. ODI works in partnership with the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

The aim in the AU’s Agenda 2063 to transform the structure of African economies by boosting intra-African trade and investment requires the AfCFTA to play a crucial role. The recent UK Integrated Review highlighted the UK’s continued intention to partner with the African Union on free trade. As such, SITA aims to support AfCTA negotiations, assist on country implementation and undertake policy relevant analysis. Our activities include:

  • Supporting research and knowledge generation in the Economic Commission for Africa’s African Trade Policy Centre.
  • Increasing the technical capabilities of AfCFTA negotiators and officials in AU member states and Regional Economic Communities to negotiate and implement the AfCFTA.
  • Assessing country level preparedness and need for technical assistance in capacity building support.
  • Undertaking policy-relevant analysis around investment, the digital economy and e-commerce, and resilient economic recovery.

Our research and insights

Senegal Fishing Blue Economy
Join our discussion on realising Africa's untapped blue economy potential within the AfCFTA framework. Key stakeholders will explore challenges facing coastal industries and identify policy solutions to strengthen these sectors through regional cooperation under the continental free trade agreement.

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Our events

Our videos

Video interviews at ODI with AfCFTA experts

AfCFTA: Like Never Before

CGF-ODI Conference 2023 | Amidst the global turbulence of major economic shocks relating to conflict, pandemics and climate change, African integration (especially the African Continental Free Trade Area) has emerged as a promising African response.

H.E Wamkele Mene speaks to ODI on the AfCFTA and Inclusivity

The AfCFTA plans to be inclusive for women-led businesses and young entrepreneurs. His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, provides insights on plans for an upcoming protocol.

Our team

The Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme is funded with UK International Development from the UK government.

Read more on the AfCFTA

  1. AfCFTA Investment Protocol: issues and opportunities for Kenya

    Briefing/policy papers

  2. Harnessing the blue economy for African coastal states through the AfCFTA

    Event

  3. SITA Newsletter - January 2024

    Insight

  4. Assessing the restrictiveness of rules of origin in the AfCFTA

    Emerging analysis

  5. SITA Newsletter - October 2023

    Insight

  6. CGF-ODI Conference 2023 | Session IV – AfCFTA: Like Never Before

    Event

  7. The African Climate Summit: securing new trade and investment opportunities

    Insight

  8. Partnerships for sustainable industrialisation in Africa: lessons from the operationalisation of the AfCFTA in Least Developed Countries

    Event

  9. SITA Newsletter - July 2023

    Insight

  10. Sectoral and fiscal impact of the AfCFTA in Rwanda

    Research reports

  11. Seizing the opportunity: Nigeria's path to market access in services under the AfCFTA

    Research reports

  12. The role of Rules of Origin in promoting industrialisation

    Briefing/policy papers

  13. Reviving Nigeria’s Automotive Industry: opportunities and challenges under the AfCFTA

    Insight

  14. The automotive sector in Nigeria: Opportunities under the AfCFTA

    Research reports

  15. From negotiations to implementation: building effective AfCFTA National Implementation Committees

    Briefing/policy papers

  16. The AfCFTA Protocol on Investment: issues and potential impacts

    Briefing/policy papers

  17. AfCFTA National Implementation Committees: scoping options and support mechanisms

    Research reports

  18. AfCFTA and rules of origin for the textile and apparel industry in Africa

    Working papers