The African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) Implementation in Cameroon, South Sudan and Zambia

Executive Summary

CEPI’s Henri Kouam explains that Cameroon signed the AfCFTA in 2018, ratified it in 2019, with an exemplary institutional, infrastructure, and policy framework that allowed it to be one of the pioneer countries in the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). Cameroon developed its AfCFTA strategy with the United Nations, and trade began in 2023 in primary products (Tea, dried ginger, safou fruits) with zero high-value products. While capacity building is commendable, we need to sensitize and upskill businesses at once.  Henri recommends that grading 1500km of national roads and 500km of regional roads every year, boosting trade finance and institutional capacity (customs and border officials), and improving accessibility of trade procedures. Over 29 businesses have traded under the preferential trading terms of the AfCFTA, and while Cameroon may be an early adopter, meaningful and development-fueled trade will be possible with intentional market-friendly reforms that unleash free markets. Crucially, policymakers must modernize customs, streamline certifications, and popularize Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards (SPS).

John Mustapha, founder of the ORGANIZATION FOR LIBERTY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP finds is advocating for a faster implementation of the AfCFTA in South Sudan – a country born very recently (2021). He details that South Sudan has signed the AfCFTA Agreement (as part of AU member states) but has not yet deposited its instrument of ratification, which is still underway; thus, it is not yet a full State Party to the Agreement. However, several policies have been put in place to improve its readiness. South Sudan is currently held back by tariff policy misalignment with the East African Community, Institutional capacity, Private sector readiness, Revenue protection concerns, Security Risk, and Implementation matters. John stresses that ratification alone is not enough as Sudan must undertake prescient reforms to ensure the AfCFTA becomes a job-creating, revenue-boosting reality. South Sudan will need to align tariff schedules, institute national legislation, upgrade trade infrastructure (customs, certification, SPS), build private‐sector capacity, and ensure non‐tariff barriers are addressed.

Kenny Suzefor the Impact Center for Policy Research in Zambia notes that Zambia sits at the heart of the Lobito corridor – it has signed the AfCFTA, submitted its tariff schedules, and is now trading under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). However, while specific information on AfCFTA trade remains opaque, intra-African exports rose to approximately 26% of Zambia’s total exports in 2024, up from earlier estimates of 21%. For a land-linked country bordering eight nations, this figure should be higher, but it is nonetheless encouraging. Kenny posits that Zambia must publish quarterly AfCFTA trade dashboards to shore up investor confidence, invest in sanitary and phytosanitary lab and certification systems, and expand trade finance. Kenny calls for greater sensitization, credible institutional backing from major Ministries to implement market-friendly reforms that accelerate AfCFTA trade.  

As Free Market actors operating in countries at differing levels of development, the authors acknowledge that the common challenges they face require similar reforms, at varying intensities. This includes but is not limited to: Upgrading trade, physical, and digital infrastructure, reducing information asymmetry, and boosting the institutional capacity of customs and border officials. For people to benefit, businesses and the private sector need clarity and market-friendly reforms to make the AfCFTA a job-boosting and revenue-growing reality.

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