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Trade and Industry

Monday, 26 November 2018

Working paper: A developmental regionalism approach to the AfCFTA

  • Year: 2018
  • Organisation: TIPS
  • Author(s): Dr Faizel Ismail: Adjunct Professor Faculty of Law School of Economics, and Graduate School of Business, UCT, and TIPS Research Fellow
  • Countries and Regions: Africa

This paper argues that adopting a “developmental regionalism” approach to trade integration provides the best prospects for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to catalyse the process of transformative industrial development, cross-border investment and democracy, governance, peace and security in Africa. It also looks at the progress being made by African countries and the continent in implementing each of the four pillars of this approach.

This paper was written in celebration of the significant contribution to African integration made by Chief Olu Akinkugbe. 

Dr Faizel Ismail also presented the Keynote Address at the Olu Akinkugbe Business Law In Africa Fellowship Conference held at the Lagos Business School on 28 November 2018.

A 'developmental regionalism' approach to the AfCFTA: In celebration of the 90th birthday of Chief Olu Akinkugbe CFR CON