The Youth and AfCFTA Perc  - eptions and e

Rutendo Nyaku

With the recently established African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) coming into force in 2019, there has been a revival in the opportunities for the future of African youths.8 These hopes are fuelled by the promises and provisions of the founding agreement of the AfCFTA which include limiting the bureaucracy on the movement of people and goods, the establishment of continental special econo. [...] The adoption of the protocol was a recognition that Africa’s youth and women are most likely to be marginalised but also have the potential to benefit the most from the AfCFTA.10 The Protocol provides special protections to facilitate the participation of women and youth in trade and industry on the continent.11 It, therefore, 7 Talkmore Chidede and Obert Bore, ‘Youth in trade and trade governance. [...] About This Study This study discusses and examines the perceptions and experiences of trading under the AfCFTA in order to provide a critical analysis on the opportunities of, and challenges for the youth to participate in, and engage with the AfCFTA. [...] 17 messaging and narratives around the AfCFTA as the communication vacuum poses significant challenges for how domestic governments come to understand the AfCFTA and the FMPP.44 Although the AfCFTA and FMPP are vital policies for accelerating economic growth, development, and security on the continent; the lack of awareness and communication to key stakeholders about the relationship between AfCFT. [...] However, the slow implementation of the AfCFTA and the Free Movement Protocol means that Precious sees the talent and the new technologies that he could embed in his craft, however, he is unable to access or collaborate with crafters and creatives on the continent due to the high costs of movement.