Put in place with a view to create a single continent-wide market for goods and services and to promote the movement of capital and individuals, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) takes effect as from January 1st 2021. Having signed the agreement in March 2018, Mauritius will now be able to trade under the AfCTA along with –as at December 2020- 33 other countries.

This agreement enables Mauritian operators to have preferential market access opportunities in the Western, Northern and Central African regions. Preferential access to products under the AfCTA will only prevail for those which abide by the relevant Rules of Origin (Click Here). COMESA/SADC member states will continue to trade on the basis of the existing COMESA Treaty and the SADC Trade Protocol. As such, the AfCTA opens up trade opportunities on non COMESA/SADC markets.

More Information on the AfCTA can be obtained on the link below:
African Continental Free Trade Agreement: Here