Eritrea, Nigeria, Benin missing from Africa free-trade zone, AfCFTA (List)

A lot is being said and celebrated about the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, in the wake of its maturity on Thursday (May 30).

The African Union, AU, initiative aims to create a continent-wide market of 1.2 billion people worth $2.5 trillion.

So far, different African countries have made varying levels of commitment. The highest being the ratification and deposition of necessary documents with the AU.

The other class being the signing of the agreement and the non-commitment level being those that are yet to even sign up. Countries in this class are: Nigeria, Eritrea and Benin.

In total, fifty-two of the AU’s 55 member states have signed the agreement to establish the free trade area since March 2018.

A notable exception of Nigeria, the largest economy on the continent, had raised eyebrows across the continent but the Federal government insisted that it was conferring with stakeholders back home before committing to the deal.

Read also: The Biafran Story: Is IPOB holding on to a lost cause?

In the case of Eritrea and Benin, there has been no official reason for their continued silence on the deal.

In March 2018, 44 government representatives signed the deal at a meeting in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. Countries that have so far ratified include:

• Egypt
• Mauritania
• Mali
• Senegal
• The Gambia
• Sierra Leone
• Guinea
• Ivory Coast
• Ghana
• Togo
• Burkina Faso
• Chad
• Niger
• Congo Republic
• Rwanda
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Ethiopia
• Djibouti
• Namibia
• South Africa
• eSwatini
• Saharawi Republic

@AfCfta is officially effective today!

This means free trade is possible within 24 countries, reaching half of Africas population. Once all countries have signed (only 3 to go!) the agreement will help 1,3 bill. people on the continent? @_AfricanUnion brings #Africa together! pic.twitter.com/NW9rWx4gNL

— Denmark in Addis (@Denmark_Addis) May 30, 2019

The agreement’s operational phase is to be launched on July 7 at an AU summit in Niger.

There are still a number of outstanding issues to be resolved, including arbitration measures, certifying the origins of goods, tackling corruption and improving infrastructure.

The AU envisions the free trade zone, once fully implemented, driving economic integration and spurring investment within the continent.

The African Union hopes a progressive elimination of tariffs will help boost intra-Africa trade by 60 percent by 2022.