African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the regional integration of Africa

Its implications for the accomplishment of the Aspirations and Objectives from African Union’s Agenda 2063

Authors

  • Carlos Eduardo Schönerwald da Silva Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  • João Pedro Mascarello Funck Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.138504

Keywords:

African Continental Free Trade Area, African Union, Agenda 2063

Abstract

This article analyzes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its implications for the integration of Africa. Therefore, as a research problem, the question arises of how the AfCFTA impacts the deepening of integration between African economies and the advancement of African Union's Agenda 2063. As a hypothesis to the previous question, it is stated that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) not only increases intra-Africa trade, but also the accomplishment of the Aspirations and Objectives of Agenda 2063. In relation to the methodology, this article made use of the review and analysis of documents from the African Development Bank, the World Bank and United Nations bodies and agencies. It is concluded, therefore, that the AfCFTA should considerably advance the goals of Agenda 2063 and increase intra-regional trade between African states. However, the free trade agreement and its deliberations tend to be insufficient to foster an autonomous development process in Africa based on productivity, accentuating the economic disparities between the regions of Africa. Thus, it is imperative that the African Union adopt measures that mitigate AfCFTA uneven effects across the continent.

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Author Biographies

Carlos Eduardo Schönerwald da Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Possui Doutorado em Economia (Ph.D.) pela University of Utah (2008), Mestrado em Economia do Desenvolvimento pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (2004) e Graduação em Economia pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (2001). Atualmente é Professor Associado I da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Anteriormente, atuou como Professor da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Economia (PPGE) do Instituto de Economia (IE) da UFRJ, Pesquisador Visitante e Bolsista PNPD do IPEA, Bolsista da Apex-Brasil, Consultor Econômico da CEPAL (Comissão Econômica para a América Latina e Caribe), Professor do PPG em Economia da UNISINOS, Professor da PUC-RS, Professor Assistente da University of Utah e Professor Adjunto da Weber State University. Tem experiência na área de Economia, com ênfase em Econometria, em História do Pensamento Econômico e Economia Política, em Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Econômico, Organização Industrial e Comércio Internacional.

João Pedro Mascarello Funck, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Pós-Graduando do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estudos Estratégicos Internacionais (PPGEEI) da UFRGS. Formado no curso de Relações Internacionais na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Tem experiência nas áreas de Ciência Política, Cultura Política, Economia Política Internacional e Relações Internacionais, com ênfase nas teorias do Sistema-Mundo e da Transição Tecnológica. Participou, desde agosto de 2018, no Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Cultura Política, Estado e Relações Internacionais (CESPRI) como pesquisador e organizador de eventos e palestras. Possui 3 artigos publicados e três traduções realizadas em periódicos, além de ter participado da organização do CESPRI Debate 2018.

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Published

2024-10-20

How to Cite

Schönerwald da Silva, C. E., & Funck, J. P. M. (2024). African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the regional integration of Africa: Its implications for the accomplishment of the Aspirations and Objectives from African Union’s Agenda 2063. Conjuntura Austral, 15(71), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.138504

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 71 (2024)

Section

RESEARCH

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Copyright (c) 2024 Carlos Eduardo Schönerwald da Silva, João Pedro Mascarello Funck

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