AfCFTA: Border hurdles dampen free trade deal expectations

Trade.

Businesses across Africa say they need support to identify market opportunities under the AfCTA. PHOTO | FILE

African traders and companies are facing challenges operating across the borders despite the opening up of a $1.2 billion market in January 2021.

The latest study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on selected African countries shows that things are not working on the ground after the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement came into effect on January 1 last year.