1. Status of RECs and Regional Agreements

• The AU recognizes eight RECs, including AMU, COMESA, CEN-SAD, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, and SADC.
• Article 19(2) of the AfCFTA Agreement preserves higher levels of regional integration achieved by RECs among their members.

2. Rules of Origin

• AfCFTA coexists with existing RECs, so both AfCFTA and REC rules apply based on the trading relationship.
• For intra-regional trade within existing RECs, their established RoO and tariffs continue alongside AfCFTA.
• For trade between countries without an established REC relationship, new AfCFTA RoO and tariffs apply.

3. Free Trade Negotiations with Third Parties

AfCFTA State Parties can engage in free trade negotiations with third parties, as long as these arrangements do not impede or frustrate AfCFTA objectives.

4. AfCFTA and Sustainable Development

AfCFTA is aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and contributes to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, especially the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

5. AfCFTA Institutions

Key institutions include the Assembly, Council of Ministers, Committee of Senior Trade Officials, Secretariat, AfCFTA Dispute Settlement Mechanism, and various technical committees.

6. Remaining Issues in Rules of Origin Negotiations

Outstanding issues include the completion of Appendix IV on product-specific rules of origin, addressing issues in general origin provisions, drafting additional definitions, hybrid rules, regulations for goods produced under Special Economic Arrangements/Zones, and provisions on value tolerance, absorption principle, and accounting segregation.