On 30 May 2019, the potentially largest free trade zone in the world – the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – officially came into force after the necessary conditions had been created. This occurred in April with the ratification of the agreement by 22 African states. Once successfully implemented, the free trade area is expected to encompass 1.2 billion people and, in particular, strengthen intra-African trade.

This new issue of Afrikapost aktuell focuses on the status of implementation of the agreement and provides an initial assessment of the extent to which the AfCFTA can achieve its goals.

We would like to thank Dr Andreas Freytag of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena and Stellenbosch University and Peter Draper of the University of Adelaide for their guest article.