Turning the African Continental Free Trade Area Into an International Business Success Story: Lessons From Inside and Outside Africa

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a landmark initiative with the potential to significantly boost trade and investment. Its implementation promises to create a more integrated and prosperous Africa by facilitating the free movement of goods, services, and capital. However, integration efforts are inherently challenging, particularly in Africa, with many countries exhibiting diverse economic, political, and social characteristics. In this paper, drawing on lessons from Africa’s regional economic communities and European integration, we forward recommendations for African policymakers to strengthen institutional frameworks and ensure a more equitable distribution of gains, and for managers to leverage opportunities from AfCFTA.