Trade Agreements vs Trade Reality Webinar
Africa has secured unprecedented market access through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and various regional trade arrangements. Yet despite these opportunities, Africa continues to account for less than 2% of global textile and apparel exports.
Why has expanded market access not translated into stronger export performance?
The Africa Cotton, Textile and Apparel (CTA) Centre of the International Trade and Research Centre (ITRC) invites you to join an insightful webinar that will explore this critical question.
WEBINAR THEME:
Trade Agreements vs Trade Reality: Why Preferential Market Access is Not Enough for Africa’s Cotton, Textiles, and Apparel Sector
📅 Date: 25 June 2026
⏰ Time: 2:30 PM (WAT)
💻 Platform: Microsoft Teams
This webinar will bring together policymakers, manufacturers, exporters, trade experts, development partners, researchers, and industry stakeholders to examine why preferential market access alone has not delivered the expected export outcomes for Africa’s Cotton, Textile, and Apparel (CTA) sector.
Key discussions will include:
• Market Access vs Market Reality: Why Trade Agreements Are Not Delivering Expected Export Outcomes
• Beyond Tariffs: The Real Drivers of Export Competitiveness
• Rules of Origin and Their Impact on Trade Performance
• Trade Facilitation, Logistics and Border Challenges
• Export Readiness and Industrial Competitiveness
• Sustainability, Traceability and Compliance Requirements
• Financing Constraints and Market Access Utilization
• Building Competitive Regional Value Chains under AfCFTA
Participants will gain practical insights into the challenges limiting Africa’s export competitiveness and identify actionable strategies for improving trade performance, value addition, and market integration.
Whether you are involved in policymaking, manufacturing, exporting, trade promotion, investment, research, or development cooperation, this webinar offers a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts and contribute to shaping the future of Africa’s CTA sector.
Register today and join the conversation on how Africa can move from having access to global markets to becoming truly competitive within them. We look forward to your participation.