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Desiderio Consultants Ltd. is a think tank and a network of independent professional international development consultants established to promote and influence customs & trade-related policies in African nations to achieve trade facilitation reforms aimed at improving international and regional trade
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New trends in dematerializing certificates of origin

A new report published by the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretariat presents the findings on the current practices and trends on the use of certification of origin and the digitalization of relevant certificates, including in some African countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Ethiopia. This study is the result of a survey undertaken in autumn 2022 to capture the situation regarding digitalization of certificates of origin (COOs), including practices followed by WCO Members on issuance of electronic certificates of origin (eCOOs), as well as on origin data exchange system.  Lastly, it identifies the main agencies issuing COOs (both preferential and non-preferential), with the factors for success and the challenges and difficulties faced by WCO members. These findings will provide a useful resource to inform future technical assistance activities. The study report will be used to prepare guidance for WCO members on digitalization of certificates of origin.

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Afreximbank’s 2024 African Trade and Economic Outlook shows encouraging intra-African trade growth of 3.2 percent in 2023

“A Resilient Africa: Delivering Growth in a Turbulent World” is the theme of the Afreximbank’s 2024 African Trade and Economic Outlook. The Report provides in-depth analysis of the current global and African macroeconomic environment, trade patterns, and sovereign debt sustainability dynamics, as the basis for trade and economic projections for 2025. Through the examination of historical trends, existing and emerging risks, as well as opportunities, the report seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the factors driving Africa's economic performance and trade patterns, with a view to informing policy design. It also analyses the impact that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other initiatives critical to accelerating industrialization and promoting sustainable growth across the continent will have on African trade.

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Can a single market exist within a system of polycentric fragmentation of powers?

An interesting paper published in the last edition of the Revue Africaine Des Réflexions Juridiques et Politiques offers a reinterpretation of the concept of “sovereignty” of African States in the context of the regional integration experiences that the continent has experienced so far. It argues that for the African Continental Fee Trade Area (AfCFTA) to be successful, it will be necessary that member States raise their cooperation efforts by accepting the transferal of portions of their sovereignty to the AfCFTA organs.

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African States’ cautious approach to AfCFTA implementation could lead to longer time to realize its objectives

A recent article published on FDI Intelligence argues that the slow implementation of the AfCFTA by African countries, combined with persisting challenges like infrastructure gaps and access to finance, are stumbling blocks to the achievement of an African Single Market. On 30 May 2024, the AfCFTA agreement reached five years since its entry into force. Although trade officially commenced under the AfCFTA framework only in January 2021, it is being slowly implemented in phases, with a first important step represented by the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), a pilot project aimed at testing the institutional and procedural framework within which the AfCFTA preferential trade transactions are conducted. Despite African countries have committed to remove tariffs for 90% of products, most of them have not incorporated the AfCFTA preferential tariff rates into their national tariff schedules, which is an essential condition for them to trade under the AfCFTA preferences. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), a multilateral UN agency dedicated to support trade-led economic growth in developing countries, the full impact of the AfCFTA remains to be seen because African countries are proceeding cautiously with its implementation. The ultimate goal to be the world’s largest operating free trade area for a continent of 1.3 billion people is still far away, the article concludes.

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AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative: an evaluation of early experiences

A publication made recently available by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Institute on its website analyses the results of the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) based on empirical data gathered from the experiences of participating State Parties and companies. The study documents and provides information on how the GTI evolved, the practical challenges faced by various African States in its implementation and the successes achieved. The purpose is to drew lessons and recommend solutions aimed at facilitating countries that are currently joining the initiative.

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