Sell Your Products Across All of Africa Tax-Free
AfCFTA means you can sell to any African country without paying import taxes. That's 54 countries and 1.3 billion customers!
What is AfCFTA?
AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) is an agreement between all African countries to trade with each other without charging import taxes.
Before AfCFTA, if you wanted to sell cocoa from Ghana to Kenya, you had to pay taxes at the Kenya border. Now, with AfCFTA, that same cocoa can enter Kenya tax-free!
Which Countries Are In AfCFTA?
All 54 African countries have joined! This includes:
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
DR Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
São Tomé
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweHow to Export Under AfCFTA
It's simpler than you think. Follow these 3 steps to start selling across Africa tax-free.
1. Make Your Product
Your product should be made in Africa (at least 40% African materials or significantly changed here)
2. Get a Certificate
Apply for a Certificate of Origin from your country's Chamber of Commerce or Export Authority
3. Ship Duty-Free
Send your goods to other African countries without paying import taxes
Does Your Product Qualify?
To get the tax-free benefit, your product must be "Made in Africa". This means one of these:
100% African
Grown, mined, or made entirely in Africa (like cocoa, gold, shea butter)
40% African Materials
At least 40% of the product's value comes from African materials or labor
Significantly Changed
Raw materials from outside were processed/manufactured in Africa
Eligible Products Include:
New — full step-by-step calculator
Open the dedicated 6-step wizard with PDF export, RVC formula and per-criterion verdict.
Quick check
AfCFTA Rules of Origin Calculator
Determine if your product qualifies for preferential tariff treatment under AfCFTA
Origin Criteria: RVC - Regional Value Content ≥40%
Minimum 40% required for most products under AfCFTA
Product entirely grown, harvested, or extracted in Africa
Goes beyond minimal operations (simple packaging, labeling)
- 1 raw materials from non-African sources
- •Consider sourcing materials from AfCFTA member states for preferential treatment
AfCFTA Key Milestones
Agreement Signed
44 countries signed the framework agreement in Kigali, Rwanda
Agreement Entered into Force
Threshold of 22 ratifications reached on May 30
Trading Begins
Official start of trading under AfCFTA on January 1
Guided Trade Initiative
Pilot program expanded to 8 countries with real transactions
Phase II Protocols
Investment, competition, and IP protocols under negotiation
Full Implementation
Target for complete tariff elimination (90% of goods)
How Goods Trade Works Under AfCFTA
Tariff Elimination Schedule
- • 90% of goods: Zero tariffs over 5-10 years
- • 7% sensitive products: Longer phase-out (10-13 years)
- • 3% excluded: Countries can protect strategic sectors
- • LDCs: Get extra 5 years for implementation
Non-Tariff Barriers
- • Simplified customs procedures
- • Harmonized standards and regulations
- • Reduced border delays and bureaucracy
- • Online reporting mechanism for NTB complaints
Services Liberalization Under AfCFTA
The services protocol covers 5 priority sectors in Phase 1, with more to be added progressively.
Key Benefits for Service Providers
- • Easier market access across 54 countries
- • Mutual recognition of professional qualifications
- • Freedom to establish businesses in other member states
- • Movement of business persons across borders
How Trade Disputes Are Resolved
AfCFTA has its own dispute resolution system modeled on the WTO, ensuring fair and timely resolution of trade conflicts.
Consultation
Parties must first attempt to resolve disputes through dialogue
Dispute Panel
If consultation fails, a panel of experts reviews the case
Appellate Body
Final appeal can be made to the Appellate Body
Countries Yet to Ratify AfCFTA
While 54 countries signed the agreement, 5 have not yet completed ratification (49/54 ratified as of January 2025):
EritreaHas not signed the agreement
LibyaPolitical instability
MadagascarPending legislative approval
South SudanEconomic challenges
SomaliaPending parliamentary action
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AfCFTA rules, eligibility, and implementation.
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