News

‘Bad trade’ and risks of stifling local production in Africa

Sunday, 02 May 2021 10:18

‘Bad trade’ and risks of stifling local production in Africa, on our blog, an analysis of the consequences of trade models based on the export of raw materials and import of manufactured and industrial goods (as it happens in most of African countries).

Ethiopia to open up the multimodal sector for private actors

Friday, 30 April 2021 06:56

Ethiopia introduced in 2017 a legal framework to regulate multimodal transport (i.e. the usage of multiple modes of transportation under a single contract concluded with a carrier assuming the responsibility for the transportation of cargo for the entire journey), with the Multimodal Transport of Goods Proclamation No. 548/2007, which was largely modelled on the UNCTAD/ICC Rules on Multimodal Transport documents. The Multimodal Transport System (MTS), however, was implemented in the country only in 2012, following the adoption, by the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport, of the Multimodal Transport Implementation Directive, effective since January 1, 2012.

Liberia ratifies the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

Thursday, 29 April 2021 15:52

Liberia became a WTO member on July 14, 2016. On 14 December 2020, the country also deposited the instrument of ratification of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention – RKC, a WCO legal instrument aimed at harmonising customs practices and procedures around the world, by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations through a series of legal provisions detailing the application of modern and efficient customs procedures).

AfCFTA Dispute Settlement Body goes operational

Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:04

On 26 April 2021, the first inaugural session of the Dispute Settlement Body was held at the AfCFTA Secretariat. Article 20 of the AfCFTA Agreement establishes an inter-State Dispute Settlement Mechanism applicable to disputes, defined at art. 1, e) as any disagreement between State Parties regarding the interpretation and/or application of the Agreement in relation to their rights and obligations.

Informal cross-border trade in Africa and approaches in promoting formalization

Saturday, 24 April 2021 09:49

On our blog, an analysis of informal cross-border trade in Africa with the approaches currently used to promote formalization of this sector.