Leveraging Architecture Development Methodology to Enhance AfCFTA’s Success
Keywords:
Trade Agreement,, Enterprise Architecture,, AfCFTA, ADM,, TOGAFAbstract
This study analyses the application of the Architecture Development Method and the creation of bespoke ADM-based architecture for African Free Trade Continental Area (AfCFTA), using the existing architectural artefacts and TOGAF Architecture Continuum. Central to this objective is the establishment of an AfCFTA customised Architectural Management System (AMS). The AMS integrated application provides an architectural repository, workflow management, collaboration tools, documentation, reporting and analytics, integration capabilities, and robust security measures. The study’s research design is qualitative and characterised by the use of a descriptive and exploratory approach. Data analysis methods include content analysis of qualitative data, thematic analysis of TOGAF architecture repository principles, standards, and guidelines on AfCFTA, comparison of different trade agreements for AfCFTA and narrative synthesis on how ADM can enhance AfCFTA’s operational framework. The research findings report that the Architectural Development Methodology within TOGAF improves resource distribution, cross-border collaboration and regulatory coherence thereby increasing operational effectiveness. It makes theoretical contributions by embedding directions that can be adopted across AfCFTA for architecture development and regional trade. This paper demonstrated the value of leveraging existing architectural artefacts with practical contributions specifying the necessity of an Architecture Development Methodology supported by an Architecture Management System. The significance of strong business, information and technological architectures, the importance of standards, principles and guidelines which harmonise trading costs and the importance of the stakeholder role in making sure AfCFTA is successful are underlined by the study. Future studies should focus on the quantitative estimation of the impact that ADM has on trade operations optimisation with the introduction of new technologies and full-fledged implementation of AMS and ADM. Designed to suit the peculiar challenges and opportunities of AfCFTA, this research promotes regional trade integration, sustainability and economic growth in Africa that would benefit businesses through increased operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Downloads
References
ASEAN Secretariat. (2023). Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area (AFTA) reference model.
Bremang, M. A. (2024). Custom AfCFTA‘s Architecture Management System (AMS) and its implementation.
CAFTA-DR Secretariat. (2023). Trade Agreement. Free Trade Area. Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
COMESA Secretariat. (2023). Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) reference model.
East African Community. (2023). East African Community (EAC) case study. One People, One Destiny.
European Commission. (2023). European Union Single Market case study. EU Customs Union Blueprints.
GCC Secretariat. (2023). Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union blueprint.
Giachetti, R. (2016). Design of enterprise systems: Theory, architecture, and methods. CRC Press.
ISO, (2013). International Organization for Standardization. ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
ISO, (2022). International Organization for Standardization. ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022 Software, systems and enterprise — Architecture description.
Josey, A. (2016). TOGAF® version 9.1-A pocket guide. Van Haren.
Kotusev, S. (2018). TOGAF-based enterprise architecture practice: An exploratory case study. Communications of the association for information systems, 43(1), 2
Mangeni, F., & Atta-Mensah, J. (Eds.). (2022). Existential Priorities for the African Continental Free Trade Area. United Nations, Economic Commission for Africa.
Mercosur Secretariat. (2023). Mercosur Trade Bloc case study impact. Mercosur Trade Bloc Case Studies.
NAFTA Secretariat. (2023). North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA Agreement Documentation.
Pacific Alliance. (2023). Alianza Pacifico Regional Integration . Pacific Alliance reference model.
SADC Secretariat. (2023). Southern African Development Community (SADC) Customs Union blueprint.
Signé, L., & Munyati, C. (2023, January). AfCFTA: A New Era for Global Business and Investment in Africa. WEF: World Economic Forum.
The Open Group. (2011). TOGAF 9.1 Enterprise Continuum and Architecture Re-use. Enterprise Continuum in Details.
The Open Group. (2011). TOGAF 9.1. Architecture Content Framework. Architecture Artefact.
The Open Group. (2018). The TOGAF Standard Version 9.2. Enterprise Continuum and Tools. Architecture Repository.
TOGAF 8.1.1. (2006). Architecture Development Methodology (ADM) Introduction to the ADM.
TPP Secretariat. (2023). What you need to know about President Obama’s Trade Agreement. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
WTO, ( 2015). World Trade Organisation. Trade Facilitation Agreement for trade processes
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Michael Agyekum Bremang
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.