Implementing African Continental Free Trade Area: Lessons from Afro-Pessimists and Afro-Optimists

Authors

  • William Asante Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
  • Edinam Bernice Amenumey University of Cape Coast

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47963/jobed.v12i.1512

Keywords:

Afro-optimism, Afro-pessimism, African Continental Free Trade Area, Implementing AfCFTA, Africa

Abstract

Global cooperation has been an acceptable strategy for addressing many of the world’s challenges. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which entered into force on 30 May 2019 was designed in a similar light for Africa’s development. Its objectives among others are to create a single market for goods, and services, and deepen the economic integration of the African continent by the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa as enshrined in the Agenda 2063. However, these benefits may not be realized unless member states garner concerted and sustained efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA. These efforts often elude most developing countries, and it is against this backdrop that this study attempts to investigate whether the contrasting perspectives of the Afro-pessimists and Afro-optimists could be of relevance to AfCFTA implementation. Using desk review methodology, the study synthesized both empirical and theoretical literature and found that Afro-pessimists are very critical and paint a gloomy picture of Africa. Whereas the Afro-optimists, are more positive looking with the claim that Africa is mistreated and its achievements are inordinately ignored. Significantly, both perspectives deepen understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Africa’s development, providing a useful context for either the failure or success of the AfCFTA’s implementation. The key lesson the study draws is for Africans to maximize their strengths as much as possible and minimize their weaknesses. This will actualize the “Africa rising” phrase and lead to the majority of Africans rising with Africa.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adams, S. & Asante, W. (2020). Politics of Renewable Energy in Africa: Nature, Prospects and Challenges. In: Sabban, A. (ed.) Innovation in Global Green Technologies. London, UK: IntechOpen. Retrieved from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/politics-of-renewable-energy-in-africa-nature-prospects-and- challenges

Aja, U. A. (2023). ECOWAS Borderless Protocol, AfCFTA and Cross-Border Criminalities and (in) Security Challenges in West Africa. In: Okunade, S.K., Ogunnubi, O. (eds) ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement and the AfCFTA in West Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5005-6_10

AJLabs (2023, August 30). Mapping Africa’s coups d’etat across the years. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/30/mapping-africas-coups-detat-across-the-years

Alami, I. (2023). ‘Afro-pessimism’ and emerging markets finance. In Gilbert, PR & Bourne, C., Haiven, M. & Montgomerie, J. (eds.), The entangled legacies of empire Race, finance and inequality (pp. 159-170). Oxford: Manchester University Press.

Apiko, P., Woolfrey, S., & Byiers, B. (2020). The promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). ECDPM Discussion Paper, 287, 1-16.

Asare B. E. & Asante, W. (2014). Implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements in Developing Countries: The Case of the 1973 Washington Convention in Ghana. Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 4(11), 1489-1503. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJESBS/2014/9479.

Asante, W. (2020). The Politics of Environmental Policy Change Process in Ghana. A Case of Forest and Wildlife Policy Subsystem. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Accra: Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

Asiedu, E. (2004). Policy Reform and Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: Absolute Progress but Relative Decline. Development Policy Review, 22(1), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8659.2004.00237.x

Attia, S. (2021). The Role of Trade Facilitation and Other Policy Strategies in the Successful Implementation of AfCFTA. Global Trade and Customs Journal, 16(11&12), 596-600. https://doi.org/10.54648/gtcj2021076

Aung, T.N., & Khaing, S.S. (2016). Challenges of Implementing e-Learning in Developing Countries: A Review. In: Zin, T., Lin, J.W., Pan, J.S., Tin, P. & Yokota, M. (Eds), Genetic and Evolutionary Computing (pp.405-411). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23207- 2_41

Besteman, C. & Gusterson, H. (eds.) (2005). Why America’s Top Pundits Are Wrong: Anthropologists Talk Back. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Böschemeier, J., Teti, F., Cernicky, J. & Moncayo, G. R. (2022). AfCFTA in a Rut – Can the Pan-African Agreement Regain Momentum? CESifo Forum, 23(2), 46-57. https://hdl.handle.net/10419/263844

deLeon, P., & deLeon, L. (2002). What ever happened to policy implementation? Alternative approach. Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, 12(4), 467–492. , https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jpart.a003544

FAO. (2016). State of the World’s Forests 2016. Forests and agriculture: land-use challenges and opportunities. Rome: FAO Publication. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/74b4394d-b389-4450-a4d7- bd37ab751c31/content

Fofack, H. (2020). Making the AfCFTA work for 'The Africa We Want'. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20.12.28-AfCFTA_Fofack.pdf [Accessed: 30/10/2023].

Gloria Wekker (2021). Afropessimism. European Journal of Women’s Studies, 28(1), 86–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506820971

Gordon, D.F., & Wolpe, H. (1998). The Other Africa: An End to Afro-Pessimism. World Policy Journal, 15(1), 49-59. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40209569

Gourdon, J., Kniahin, D., De Melo, J. & Mimouni, M. (2021). Rules of origin across African regional trading agreements: A landscape with measures to address challenges at harmonization. Journal of African Trade, (8)1, 96-108. https://doi.org/10.2991/jat.k.201224.001

Havnevik, K. (2015). The current Afro-optimism – A realistic image of Africa? Festskrift til Tore Linné Eriksen, 2(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.7577/fleks.1498

Hill, M., & Hupe, P. (2014). Implementing Public Policy (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Holt, K., Ustad Figenschou, T. & Frischlich, L. (2019). Key dimensions of alternative news media. Digital Journalism, 7(7), 860–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2019.1625715

Itu (2021). The affordability of ICT services 2021. Policy Brief. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/ITUD/Statistics/Documents/publications/prices2021/ITU_A4AI_Price_Brief_2 021.pdf [Accessed: 09/10/2023].

Kouty, M. (2021). Implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): The Effects of Trade Procedures on trade flows. Research in Applied Economics, 13(1), 15-31. https://doi.org/10.5296/rae.v13i2.17461

Louw, E. & de B’Beri, B.E (Eds) (2011). Special Issue: The Afro-pessimism phenomenon. Critical Arts, 5(3), 335-466.

Luna, D. R., Mayan, J. C., García, M. J., Almerares, A. A. & Househ, M. (2014). Challenges and Potential Solutions for Big Data Implementations in Developing Countries. Yearb Med Inform, 23(01), 36-41. DOI: 10.15265/IY-2014-0012

Lynn, L. E., Heinrich, C. J., & Hill, C. J. (2001). Improving governance. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

Matland, R. E. (1995). Synthesizing the implementation literature: The ambiguity-conflict model of policy implementation. Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, 5(2), 145–174. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jpart.a037242

Mazmanian, D.A & Sabatier, PA (1983). Implementation and Public Policy. Glenview, III: Scott, Foresman and Company.

Michira, J. (2002, December). Images of Africa in the Western Media. Retrieved from http://www.teachingliterature.org/teachingliterature/pdf/multi/images_of_africa_michira.pdf

Morgan, H. (2022). Conducting a Qualitative Document Analysis. The Qualitative Report, 27(1), 64-77. https:doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5044

Moyer, J. D., Kabandula, A., Bohl, D. K., Taylor, H., Mayaki I. & Bwalya, M. (2021). Conditions for Success in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Retrieved from https://ssrn.com/abstract=3941470.https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3941470

Nothias, T. (2012). Definition and scope of Afro-pessimism: Mapping the concept and its usefulness for analyzing news media coverage of Africa. Leeds African Studies Bulletin, 74, 54-62. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/lucas

Nwankwo, C. M. & Ajibo, C. C. (2020). Liberalizing Regional Trade Regimes Through AfCFTA: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of African Law, 64(3), 297–318. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021855320000194

Odusote, G., & Aduak, Y. (2022). Implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Challenges of Corruption in Africa. Open Journal of Political Science, 12, 321-336. DOI: 10.4236/ojps.2022.123019

Ong’ong’a, D.O. (2023). Unveiling African narratives on Facebook: Media posts and audience engagement. Journal of African Media Studies, 15(2), 199-216. https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00100_1

O'Toole, L. J. (2000). Research on policy implementation: Assessment and prospects. Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, 10(2), 263–288. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jpart.a024270

Patinvoh, R. J. & Taherzadeh, M. J. (2019). Challenges of biogas implementation in developing countries. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 12, 30-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2019.09.006

Penda, C. N. (2021). Eliminating 'Thick' Borders: Analysing the Legal Framework on Non-Tariff Barriers in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. Strathmore Law Review, 6, 167-194. https:doi.org/10.52907/slr.v6i1.166

Pointer, R. (2023). Beyond western Afropessimism: The African narrative in African and non-western countries. Journal of African Media Studies, 15(2), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00097_2

Sabatier, P. & Mazmanian, D. (1979).The Conditions of Effective Implementation: A Guide to Accomplishing Policy Objectives. Policy Analysis, 5(4), 481-504. https://www.jstor.org/stable/42783358

Salami, E. (2022). Implementing the AfCFTA Agreement: A Case for the Harmonization of Data Protection Law in Africa. Journal of African Law, 66(2), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021855322000110

Sarvajayakesavalu, S. (2015). Addressing challenges of developing countries in implementing five priorities for sustainable development goals. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, 1(7), 1-4. DOI: 10.1890/EHS15-0028.1

Schmidt, S. & Garrett, J. (2011). Reconstituting pessimistic discourses. Critical Arts, 25, 423-440. https:doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2011.615143

Schorr, V. (2011). Economics of Afro-pessimism: The Economics of Perception in African Foreign Direct Investment. Retrieved from http://carleton.ca/africanstudies/wp-content/uploads/Nokoko-Fall- 2011-2-Schorr.pdf [Accessed: 15/10/2023].

Schraeder, P.J. & Endless, B. (1998). The Media and Africa: The Portrayal of Africa in the New York Times (1955-1995). A Journal of Opinion, 26(2), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.2307/1166825

Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E. W. & Borick, C. (2016). Introducing Public Administration. 8th Ed. London and New York: Routledge.

Sovacool, B. K., Axsen, J. & Sorrell, S. (2018). Promoting novelty, rigor, and style in energy social science: Towards codes of practice for appropriate methods and research design. Energy Research & Social Science, 45, 12-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.007

Statista (2023). Global age distribution by region in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/932555/global-population-by-age-by-continent/ Accessed: 05/10/2023].

Tsowou, K. & Davis, J. (2021) Reaping the AfCFTA Potential through Well-Functioning Rules of Origin. Journal of African Trade, 8(2), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.2991/jat.k.210428.001

UNCTAD (2021). Digital economy report 2021 on Cross-border data flows and development: For Whom the data flow. New York: United Nations Publications.

UNCTAD (2022). World Investment Report 2022: International Tax Reforms and Sustainable Investment. New York: United Nations Publications.

UNDP (2022). Human Development Report 2021/22: Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping Our Future in a Transforming World. New York: United Nations Development Programme.

UNECA (2012). Economic report on Africa 2012. Unleashing Africa´s potential as a pole of global growth. Addis Ababa: UNECA.

Vines, A. (2023). Africa in 2023: Continuing Political and Economic Volatility. Retrieved from

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/01/africa-2023-continuing-political-and-economic-volatility.

Wahutu, J.S. (2018). Representations of Africa in African media: The case of the Darfur violence. African Affairs, 117(466), 44–61. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adx039

WGI Dataset (2023). The Worldwide Governance Indicators, 2023 Update: Aggregate Governance Indicators 1996-2022. Retrieved from www.govindicators.org. [Accessed: 10/5/2023].

World Bank (2020). The African Continental Free Trade Area: Economic and Distributional Effects. Washington, DC: World Bank.

World Economic Forum (2023). How implementation committees are moving the African free trade area from talks to action. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/moving-from-talks-to-implementation-of-the-african-free-trade-area-through-national-implementation-committees/ [Accessed: 25/09/2023].

Yoon S. & Kim S. (2021). Towards New African Security: A Prospective Role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 33(2), 337-356. DOI: 10.22883/kjda.2021.33.2.008

Downloads

Published

2024-10-01

How to Cite

Asante, W., & Amenumey, E. B. (2024). Implementing African Continental Free Trade Area: Lessons from Afro-Pessimists and Afro-Optimists. Journal of Business and Enterprise Development (JOBED), 12(1). https://doi.org/10.47963/jobed.v12i.1512