| | | Title | Overcoming Trade Facilitation Challenges for Policymakers in Africa to Enhance Global Trade Efciency | | Author | ACBF | | Subject | Trade facilitation, Africa's economic growth, AfCFTA success, policymaker roles, inter-agency coordination, regional integration, policy coherence, reducing non-tariff barriers, harmonising regulations, digital customs solutions, border procedure streamlining, enhancing competitiveness, African firms' global competitiveness, policy recommendations, National Trade Facilitation Committees, NTFCs, Electronic Single Windows, customs harmonisation, trade cost reduction, transparency enhancement. | | Date of Publication | 2024 | | Keywords | Trade facilitation, Africa's economic potential, AfCFTA, policymakers, inter-agency coordination, regional agreements, policy coherence, non-tariff barriers, harmonise regulations, digital solutions, customs procedures, border procedures, economic growth, regional integration, competitiveness, African firms, global stage, policy brief, recommendations, National Trade Facilitation Committees, NTFCs, Electronic Single Windows, customs procedures, trade costs, transparency. | | Abstract | Trade facilitation (TF) is critical for unlocking Africa's economic potential and ensuring the success of the AfCFTA. Policymakers play an essential role in creating an enabling environment by addressing key challenges such as inter-agency coordination, the effective implementation of regional agreements, and ensuring policy coherence across the continent. The success of TF measures depends on the ability of governments to reduce non-tariff barriers, harmonise regulations, and implement digital solutions that streamline customs and border procedures. By tackling these obstacles, policymakers can drive economic growth, improve regional integration, and enhance the competitiveness of African rms on the global stage. This policy brief outlines the critical challenges and offers actionable recommendations to policymakers to overcome these barriers. To overcome many of the challenges identied, this policy brief recommends that policymakers should prioritise strengthening inter-agency coordination, particularly through the establishment of well-funded National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs), and ensure the effective implementation of regional agreements such as the AfCFTA. Additionally, leveraging digital solutions such as Electronic Single Windows and harmonising customs procedures across borders will be critical in reducing trade costs and enhancing transparency. | | Filesize | 3366636 MB | | File Format | PDF | | [ View / download original document ] |
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