East Africa: EAC Goods to Gain Better Access to Larger Markets in Africa

East African countries will gain better market access in Africa under the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), to be implemented early next year.

The 26 countries under the TFTA are expected to start implementing the trade framework after its ratification to help countries exchange tariff concessions based on the principle of reciprocity.

The implementation of the TFTA effectively opens the door for EAC goods, which could not easily access markets such as South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The trade partnership, which pooled the interests of the EAC, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and other African countries that have a combined GDP of more than $1 trillion, and a population of 625 million people, was launched last year in Egypt by the 26 heads of state.

All Africa: East Africa: EAC Goods to Gain Better Access to Larger Markets in Africa