This publication is one of two published in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, D.C. office. The other publication, a policy brief, is titled How to Ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Propels Africa’s Green Transition paper and is available here.

Summary

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is expected to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035. African countries are looking to take advantage of improved market access under the AfCFTA to increase production and trade through agriculture, fisheries (blue economy), forestry and mining activities. While increased production in pursuit of trade opportunities under the AfCFTA will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, this can also form a key part of the solution in shaping the transition of African economies to green growth, climate mitigation and adaptation. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges of addressing climate change under the AfCFTA. It draws from ongoing global and African discourse on climate change, and from the growing body of research on the AfCFTA and environmental sustainability. It provides recommendations on how African governments, African stakeholders and development partners in the European Union and the United States of America can achieve climate change objectives through the AfCFTA. 

To read the full paper, download it from the link above or below. 

The report is a joint publication between APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute and the Heinrich Boell Foundation

Calvin Manduna, is an international trade law consultant with the ACP International Trade Advisers based in Washington, DC, and former Principal Trade Expert with the African Development Bank.

Taku Fundira is a market intelligence consultant specializing in international trade, agriculture, energy, and development finance. He is a founding member of the South African Trade Reference Group and an Associate at the Trade Law Centre (tralac), based in South Africa.