Sub-Regional Forum on Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

In August 2024, EATUC organized a Sub-regional Forum on AfCFTA in Kigali, Rwanda. The forum brought together representatives from ITUC-Africa, EATUC affiliates, the CSO-Third World Network, the EAC Secretariat, and the Ministry of Trade Rwanda. The main purpose of the Sub-regional Forum was to review the progress and lessons learned over the past five years of AfCFTA implementation and assess its implications for workers.

Forum Outcomes:

• The state of play of AfCFTA after five years was discussed, including achievements, lessons learned, and the review mechanism.
• A clear trade union strategy for engaging in AfCFTA implementation was developed, and tentative dates were set to meet with the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• A sample letter for the Ministry responsible for Trade and Investment was developed, shared with EATUC affiliates, and sent to relevant ministries. The Ministry of Trade Kenya responded, inviting trade unions to discuss how they can collaborate with the government on AfCFTA implementation.
• A study visit was conducted to the Rwanda Mountain Tea Company in Kigali, Rwanda, to explore how the company is benefiting from AfCFTA opportunities. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss how the company collaborates with other stakeholders, such as trade unions, government, and civil society, and to identify critical issues for trade unions to address during AfCFTA implementation. Additionally, the visit explored ways to use trade and investment to foster job creation, access to finance, and improve workers’ welfare.
• Networking and collaboration with ministries responsible for trade and investment, the EAC Secretariat, and CSOs were strengthened.