African Continent-Wide Free Trade Bloc Opens

[-Astoria-]

I'm generally opposed to free trade policies, but if this is regionalisation rather than globalisation it could work out. If they can get more of what they need from each other and rely less on the West and China it might help with keeping the profits of development local.

This, really.

[Nekostan-e Gharbi]

The borders of Africa are the product of the malicious intent of Western colonists, which led to wars between African countries；

If African Continent-Wide Free Trade Bloc reduce border conflicts， it will be a greate success

What’s your opinion on Biafra?

[Vivolkha]

Interesting.

I'm convinced that the trade bloc will be a net positive for African countries. However, it should be noted that it alone will not solve the continent's low development.

[Nakena]

The borders of Africa are the product of the malicious intent of Western colonists, which led to wars between African countries；

If African Continent-Wide Free Trade Bloc reduce border conflicts， it will be a greate success

What’s your opinion on Biafra?

They should have been more supported.

[The Emerald Legion]

I'm generally opposed to free trade policies, but if this is regionalisation rather than globalisation it could work out. If they can get more of what they need from each other and rely less on the West and China it might help with keeping the profits of development local.

Issue is China basically owns a ton of the local infrastructure in Africa.

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

This has been in the works for a long time. The problem is Africa is abundant in raw material, but not in the exports of manufactured goods. In the modern global trade economy, manufactured goods are the real money maker, even moreso than oil I would say

[Northwest Slobovia]

It's interesting, to me, to see how while the rest of the world is running screaming away from free trade, Africa is embracing it.

The UK is hardly the "rest of the world". A bunch of Asian nations just set up their own trade bloc, the EU is still going strong, as is NAFTA. Nobody likes the Chinese, but whose fault is that?

[Vivolkha]

Nobody likes the Chinese, but whose fault is that?

The Chinese government's.

[Northwest Slobovia]

Nobody likes the Chinese, but whose fault is that?

The Chinese government's.

Precisely. So if the US and the EU want to lock them out of their markets specifically, it's hardly the rest of the world is running screaming away from free trade.

[Nekostan-e Gharbi]

Nobody likes the Chinese, but whose fault is that?

The Chinese government's.

China obviously. This is not the China thread though.

[Bronzite]

Will certainly be interested to see how successful it is, and hope that it is. Should also hear some news on the East African Federation this year if still on schedule. They are supposed to finish their draft of the constitution this year and move to the next stage.

[New haven america]

It's interesting, to me, to see how while the rest of the world is running screaming away from free trade, Africa is embracing it.

The UK is hardly the "rest of the world". A bunch of Asian nations just set up their own trade bloc, the EU is still going strong, as is NAFTA. Nobody likes the Chinese, but whose fault is that?

The Chinese government.

And it's not that people hate the Chinese, it's that people hate the CCP, PRC, and those who support the 2 entities.

[A z a n i a]

The AfCFTA, along with the African Passport, is long overdue. There has been a woeful lack of any significant intra-African trade for far too long, and the AfCFTA, once properly ironed out, will help correct this.

[Ethel mermania]

I hope it works out for them.

[Borderlands of Rojava]

It will make a few people rich and will make others slaves. Just like how globalization in general does to the third world.

[A z a n i a]

It will make a few people rich and will make others slaves. Just like how globalization in general does to the third world.

This thought has been sitting in the back of my head ever since I first heard that the AU was working on it. With proper oversight and strong leadership, it could very work towards for the benefit of the African people. Unfortunately, the AU is notoriously lacking in both, and difficulties will inevitably come when trying to bring 55 countries under a single trade block. Then there's also the matter of already-existing wealth disparities and widespread corruption, which could worsen if the AfCFTA isn't implemented properly.

[Risottia]

The borders of Africa are the product of the malicious intent of Western colonists, which led to wars between African countries；

Seems to me that in the last 60 years there was plenty of time to draw new locally-produced borders.

[Kowani]

The borders of Africa are the product of the malicious intent of Western colonists, which led to wars between African countries；

Seems to me that in the last 60 years there was plenty of time to draw new locally-produced borders.

looks at South Sudan and Katanga