The African Continental Free Trade Area Competition Protocol: a necessity or an overzealous endeavour?

The article provides an overview of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its Competition Protocol. The AfCFTA aims to create a unified African market and increase trade within the continent. The Competition Protocol, which is not yet enforceable, aims to address anti-competitive behavior that hinders trade and the goal of a single African market. Similar competition provisions are included in other regional trade agreements, such as COMESA and ASEAN. The article also discusses the challenges and potential conflicts that may arise with the implementation of the AfCFTA Competition Protocol, including the role of regional competition authorities and the need for clear regulations. It emphasizes the importance of careful consideration and specific implementation frameworks to achieve the intended goals of the protocol. [Extracted from the article]