The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), a landmark agreement in the realm of international trade, was signed in 2013 and came into force in 2017. This pivotal agreement, the first of its kind since the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) inception, sees wide participation, with 172 WTO members, including 42 African nations, as signatories. The TFA is […]Continue reading
On 2, 3 and 7 November 2023 respectively, global shipping frontrunners including AP Moller Maersk (Maersk), Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Hapag Lloyd (Hapag) announced that they would be imposing hefty surcharges on congested vessels at South African ports. The decision to impose fees on cargo ships entering South African ports has arisen due to […]Continue reading
South Africa’s poultry sector, a critical component of the nation’s agricultural economy, is under duress. The dual onslaught of avian influenza and the impending decision by Minister Ebrahim Patel, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, may exacerbate the woes of this R60bn industry. Patel is on the brink of endorsing a course of action […]Continue reading
On 18 August 2023, the South African Department of Industry, Trade and Competition (DTIC) announced that the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) accepted an application to investigate allegations that active yeast (i.e., bakers’ compressed yeast) was being dumped from Zimbabwe into the South African Customs Union (SACU). This move follows allegations by […]Continue reading
In a significant move to reshape the African trade and economic landscape, the African Union (AU) converged in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in February 2023. The pivotal outcome of this Session was the adoption of the Protocol to the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free […]Continue reading
The historic ebb and flow of trade along the Indian Ocean has long cemented a robust connection between East Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. In the recent decade, propelled by the booming economies of China and India and substantial investments from Middle Eastern giants like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this trade route is […]Continue reading
Amid the prevailing political narratives, the incident surrounding Lady R and the ongoing challenges presented by Eskom, the core of SA-US relations should pivot towards energy collaboration. While much attention has been diverted to alleged Russian arms deals and their potential implications, it remains clear that the bond established between SA and the US remains […]Continue reading
Africa’s agricultural paradox is an urgent enigma demanding attention. Home to 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land and with over 60% of the population reliant on farming, the continent still grapples with an alarming agricultural trade deficit. In this setting, the question arises: Can artificial intelligence (AI) be the panacea? A Sobering Reality […]Continue reading
The Zambian mining industry has been faced with several challenges of late, particularly in the years leading up to the election of President Hakainde Hichilema in August 2021. Due to the detrimental fiscal policies of the Zambian government on the mining industry, Zambia has faced many challenges despite previously being heralded as one of Africa’s […]Continue reading
The European Union (EU) and Kenya have successfully concluded negotiations on an ambitious trade agreement aimed at implementing the regional Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Eastern African Community (EAC) on a bilateral level. This agreement is a significant milestone as it will be the first trade deal with an East African […]Continue reading
