Wilson Center Africa Program’s Post

I agree with Mr. Schneidman it was a very optimistic and engaged AGOA summit in Johannesburg, as far as I understand. However, I have been involved in the work behind the AGOA for a couple of years and and in spite of the outstanding and experienced participants at the Summit, it is difficult to see if the meeting moved the needle just a little bit. In my opinion the horse is too old and too tired and has too many wounds to bring back to life! Quite honestly, I think it is time to rewrite the AGOA program instead of extending the existing one? Hence, it is my sincere opinion that we need to make a clean slate and begin to create the next generation AGOA adjusted to the current geopolitical reality and bring it back to the original vision: to build a US/African marketplace to the benefit of both parties. My basic proposal is that the individual AGOA agreements with selected countries in Africa should be replaced by one continental treaty, negotiated and signed between the United States and the African Union. Why? 1) the approval of the African Union as member of G20 encourage the African Continent to unify and find a common ground on the world stage. A continental AGOA treaty would demonstrate the willingness and capability to do exactly that. 2) such arrangement will give the US the chance to replace the ill-advised and damaging division of the African nations into good and bad players using the AGOA as a reward/punishment instrument, which not only back fires on the American desire to compete with Russia and China in Africa but also has shown severe unintended effects for the local businesses and economies and furthermore add to the imbalances among the African nations. 3) by including all 52 African States through their membership of the African Union and not only selected Subsaharan countries it will build a bridge between two of the biggest consumer market in the world, which done right will attract the necessary investment to make the continent the manufacturing hub of the world. I encourage everyone involved to initiate discussions along the lines above and thereby empower the long time overdue relationship, not only diplomatically but transactionally as well, between the United States of America and the African Union. G20 gave African Union a voice. Let us use it and let the New AGOA program be the first to recognize it!

Facilitating MSME participation in intra-Africa trade through value chains: Case study of Namibia: By Maria Immanuel One of the principles of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the ‘preservation of the acquis’ which provides that the Regional Economic Communities’ Free Trade Areas (REC FTAs) are the building blocks for the AfCFTA. In the case of Namibia, the role of the SACU

Check out this insightful article highlighting South Africa's efforts to motivate for the renewal of AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) in 2023. Explore the key role AGOA plays in shaping Africa's economic landscape and promoting development. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dQKNhFWB Stay informed about the initiatives driving progress on the continent.

2023 AGOA Private Sector Forum Delivers Concrete Recommendations to Boost U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment: Thank you to all the excellent speakers, moderators and all those who attended - together, you made the 2023 AGOA Private Sector Forum a tremendous success. The one-day event distilled company observations on what's working, and what can be improved under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, as well as highlighting sectors in which to build U.S.-Africa trade and investment ties to take advantage of opportunities like the African Continental Free Trade Area. Recommendations from the session fed into the U.S.-African government dialogue the next day, and will inform ongoing discussions in Congress about renewing AGOA. Best of all, the Private Sector Forum strengthened connections between U.S. and African companies. Thanks to the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, as well as BUSA, AmCham South Africa, BLSA and the BBC for all the support. #CCA, #U.S.-Africa trade, #AGOA, #africanbusiness

🚀 Last chance to shape the future of cross-border trade in Africa! 🌍 Participate in our survey on the development of a certification course for AfCFTA Implementation Capacity. Your insights will help empower businesses and drive economic growth across the continent. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make history! 📈💼 Click here to participate: https://lnkd.in/dzMwmmdp Cliquez ici pour participer: https://lnkd.in/du46e6HH 🌐 Why This Matters? Strategic Insight: Offer your members a voice in a groundbreaking program designed to streamline cross-border trade and amplify business success. Empowerment: Help tailor a course that directly addresses the unique challenges and opportunities your members face in the AfCFTA landscape. Collaboration: Join the Chamber Africa Network and partners fostering peer-to-peer learning and information exchange for Realtime AfCFTA implementation. About the project: The pilot phase is organized under the 'Improving the Trade Facilitation Environment (ITFE) in Eastern Africa' project (2019-2024) https://lnkd.in/eeYTNBq welcoming input and participation across the continent. The course is set to launch mid-2024 with access across the continent (keep tabs on this page for updates). The development of the course will engage multiple stakeholders in the AfCFTA space for comprehensive content tailored towards BMOs and experts and business enthusiasts providing support to the private sector to trade under the AfCFTA. . This initiative is a collaboration between The Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), Intergovernmental Authority on Development , African Development Bank Group (RDGE), and facilitated by the University of Nairobi Department of Economics and Development Studies . #AfCFTAImplementation #Survey #Certification #DoingBusiness #ChamberAfricaConnect 🌍📊

The improving Trade Facilitation in IGAD project has been one of my highlights since we began in 2019, steering through change management to adapt to the various crises globally and regionally. As we gear to its final stages closing 2024, the cherry on top is a comprehensive course geared toward Business Support Organizations and AfCFTA enthusiasts to support Private sector engagement in the AFCFTA - building on the project outputs and trainings thus far. The survey is to guide in it's development, format of delivery and facilitate partnerships in the population of content. Only a few minutes of your time to support the mission and get early updates, invitation to validation and ultimately early notification of access once complete. #afcftaimplementation

Mama Keita discusses the key outcomes of Day 1 of he Second Joint meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE), in Bujumbura: the challenges of inflation, debt repayment and supporting local producers. How can we boost regional trade and resilience in Eastern Africa? Theme of ICSOE 2023: Establishing Central and East Africa as Sources of Quality Products and Investment Destinations of Choice, to Accelerate Industrialization and Economic Diversification, and to Strengthen Food Security 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYNdFqjG #ICSOE2023 #EasternAfrica #Investement #FoodSecurity #Industrialization

The Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) in the United States is a crucial platform that fosters economic and trade relations between Tanzania and the United States. TACC plays a pivotal role in promoting bilateral trade and investment opportunities, thus contributing significantly to economic growth and development in both countries. This concept note explores the benefits of TACC in facilitating trade and investment between Tanzania and the United States.

NACCIMA Tasks Fg On Quick Operationalization Of AfCFTA For Economic Integration

Last day of The 20th AGOA forum 2023- South Africa. Deepening the trade and investment relationships between United States and Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). We are reaffirming Africa’s position as a capable economic partner for the world.. Africa is our home