African Continental Free Trade Area : Cameroon Selected For Experimental Phase

The Republic of Cameroon, alongside six other countries have been selected to lead the trial phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which seeks to ensure the unrestricted movement of goods and services in the continent. Tanzania, Tunisia, Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, and Ghana are the other countries that will alongside Cameroon champion the experimental phase of the initiative. The information was announced during the ninth meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers that held in Ghana last week. By implication, Cameroon will freely trade its goods and services beyond the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) zone during this pilot phase. Cameroon, for example, going by the experimental modalities, will have access to markets in the east, west, and south African economic bloc. The selected nations will thus participate in the trail stage which seeks to promote trade outside economic blocs. 
“The initiative seeks to demonstrate that AfCFTA is functioning and sends a political message to countries that are yet to submit their provisional schedules of tariff concessions in accordance with agreed modalities,” the Council highlighted. In all, over 36 countries presented their tariff dismantling schedule as they sought to be part of the scheme and the seven...