One of the most common assumptions in export development is that securing access to new markets automatically creates export opportunities. In reality, many firms discover that obtaining access and successfully exporting are two very different challenges. The U.S. International Trade…
The ambition of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) extends far beyond tariff reduction. At its core, the agreement represents an effort to reshape Africa’s industrial landscape by creating integrated regional production systems capable of supporting long-term manufacturing growth.…
Rules of origin determine the economic nationality of a product. In practical terms, they establish whether a product can legitimately be considered to originate from a country or region that qualifies for preferential treatment under a specific trade agreement. While…
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Introduction Over the past two decades, Africa has gained unprecedented access to major global markets, a feat that many developing regions continue to pursue. Through preferential trade arrangements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area…
Thursday June 18, 2026 The role of customs modernisation, digital trade systems, logistics infrastructure, and PAPSS in building competitive regional value chains under AfCFTA Introduction: The New Competitive Battlefield in Textile Trade In today’s global textile industry, the competitive landscape…
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…
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Introduction For decades, discussions about international trade negotiations have been dominated by tariffs, focused on reducing import duties, expanding market access, and opening new commercial opportunities. The underlying assumption was that lower tariffs would lead to…
Thursday, June 11, 2026 Introduction: The Missing Link in Africa’s Textile Ambitions Africa’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) sector possesses many of the ingredients required to become a globally competitive textile manufacturing hub. It produces significant quantities of cotton, has…
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created renewed optimism around Africa’s ability to strengthen regional manufacturing, increase intra-African trade, and improve participation in global value chains. Yet the analysis presented in the ODI report on…
The World Trade Organization’s World Trade Report 2023 highlights a critical reality shaping modern trade competitiveness: reducing tariffs alone is no longer sufficient to drive export growth. As global supply chains become increasingly interconnected, the efficiency with which goods move…