Picture of the globe sculpture in the AfCFTA Secretariat's front yard

The “Technical Assistance Facility to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Continental Economic Integration” aims to enhance the continent's capacity to deliver on Agenda 2063 and 2030. It will provide targeted and on-demand support to strengthen and complement beneficiaries' capacities to respond to their evolving priority needs related to the AfCFTA negotiation and implementation process.

This strategic project responds to the needs of the African Union (AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union Commissions and Specialised agencies), Regional Economic Communities, African Union Member States, continental and regional private sector organisations, and other potential partners working on AfCFTA and continental economic integration.

In brief

Rules of origin Expert

Role:

    • Project Team Leader (team of 3 staff + 3 external experts)

    • Facilitation of negotiation and consultation meetings (trade negotiators, senior trade officials and the council of ministers, automotive, sugar and textiles industrial lobbies)

    • Drafting technical notes and briefs for the AfCFTA institutions’ Chairpersons and AfCFTA Secretariat’s senior officials

    • Drafting talking points for the AfCFTA institutions’ Chairpersons and AfCFTA Secretariat’s senior officials

    • HS coverage increase from 81 to 91%

    • Over 440 rules of origin of the AfCFTA adopted (fisheries, sugars, textiles), representing a market estimated at over USD 5.4 billion per year

  • Profile raising of Expertise France as a key technical partner for the advancement of the rules of origin negotiation

Contact

“Astove Conseil contributed significantly to advancing negotiations on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), notably the conclusion of rules on fishery and agricultural products, including fisheries and sugar, progress in the textile sector, and the conclusion of the regulation on SEZs thanks to studies conducted and technical assistance provided to senior officials of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Expertise France is fully satisfied with Astove Conseil's services and thanks them for the excellent work.”

Séliatou Kayodé-Anglade, Manager, Sustainable and Inclusive Economy Department

“During the project, Astove Conseil contributed significantly to the progress of the work.

The research and technical and strategic support provided by the team led by Mr Gérout enabled significant progress to be made [...]. The Rules of Origin Division of the AfCFTA Secretariat is entirely satisfied with Astove Conseil's services, thanks them for their excellent work and highly recommends them for their expertise.”

Didier Bonyeme, Head of Section, AfCFTA Secretariat

Technical assistance

Insight

The number of tradeable goods under AfCFTA preferences has increased by 8.2% (expressed in number of HS subheadings), from 4,432 at the beginning of the intervention to 4,761 at the end.

The increase amounts to an annual market value of 6 billion USD, representing 8.2% of intra-African trade.

Insight

7 out of 8 transitional arrangements completed during the assignment, including:

✅ Adoption of the definitions of “Value Added”

✅ Adoption of the definitions of and requirements for “their vessels” and “their factory ships”

✅ Adoption of the criteria and issues pertaining to Special Economic Arrangements / Zones

✅ Drafting of additional definitions

🔲 Drafting hybrid rules in Appendix IV

✅ Drafting Regulations for Goods produced under Special Economic Arrangements / Zones

✅ Drafting of additional provisions on value tolerance, absorption principle and accounting segregation/GAAP

✅ Drafting AfCFTA Rules of Origin Manuals/Guidelines

More information