Implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Challenges of Corruption in Africa

Abstract

Since the first quarter of 2020, African nations have been forced to battle to scourge of COVID-19 and its toll on the economies across the African continent. As normalcy resumes, the timing of the implementation of the provisions of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) could not have been timelier. While the objectives of the AfCFTA include the economic integration within the continent, which is considered noble and timely, this paper argues that the objectives of the AfCFTA may not be realised if Africa refuses to combat corruption within the continent and among member nations. Following a doctrinal approach, this paper recommends the incorporation of the provisions of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) into the AfCFTA to demonstrate political will of African leaders to combat corruption.