“Understanding the factors behind the large deficits in intra-regional trade and identifying policies that can help boost this trade will be essential for the success of the AfCFTA. The most visible and measurable form of trade barriers and one of the central aspects of the AfCFTA”.

Adopt a corridor approach to assess and see how goods circulate within all regions and in particular that of Central Africa that the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Zlecaf) met for a 02-day symposium opened in Douala on February 20, 2023. The objective is to ensure that goods circulate freely, particularly within the Central African region.

“So, we are here in Douala and we will do the Yaoundé - Libreville and Brazzaville - Yaoundé corridors. It will make it possible to assess and know exactly what is happening on the ground when the goods are circulating and therefore to take the necessary measures to be able to improve everything,” explained Emmanuel MBARGA, Regional Advisor for Central Africa.

Chaired by the Principal Customs Advisor of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf), DEEMITTA Gyang, Also taking part in this symposium, the National Council of Shippers of Cameroon (CNCC), consular chambers, groups of economic operators , civil society, as well as associations dealing with issues of women and young people in trade.

“The operators and traders, who will circulate, who import and export the goods, as well as all the organizations that support them, It is all these stakeholders that we are meeting today and that we will continue to meet throughout our mission", indicated the Regional Councilor for Central Africa.

Although it is premature to make an objective assessment of the impact of the ZLECAf in accelerating the African integration project, it can be noted that the context of the launch of this free trade area remains marked by many obstacles. the effects of which may prove harmful to the achievement of the general objectives of the agreement establishing it.

It was therefore a question for the secretariat of the zlecaf and the stakeholders to evaluate the number of checkpoints between Yaoundé and Libreville, to reduce the questions of import-export documents, the questions of corruption which the operators face, the infrastructure issues whether the roads are good or bad, whether they are maintained along these corridors.

“There are so many things that we are going to look at, and which will allow us to assess the two main corridors. You know, there are several and we will work gradually, “said Emmanuel MBARGA.

The AfCFTA marks a new turning point on the path to deeper regional integration and faster and more sustainable growth. Nevertheless, seem to indicate that regional integration is a complex process involving several non-tariff factors. This section looks at the AfCFTA's potential to stimulate regional trade and identifies the levers on which public authorities can rely to strengthen trade integration in Africa.

Suffice to say that the ZLECAf constitutes a project of hope for African integration, since the agreement which establishes it has shown itself to be attentive to the articulation between the material and immaterial determinants of continental integration.

It should be remembered that preferential trade within the zlecaf began in October last year...

NGM