COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA
Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) consists of three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Common Market of Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA) – East African Community (EAC) –Southern African Development Community (SADC) and brings together 29 Countries of COMESA – EAC – SADC. The TFTA agreement was signed by 27 countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The TFTA has been ratified by 15 Member States including Namibia surpassing the ratification threshold of 14 ratification and it is anticipated to enter into force on 20 July 2024, aims to enhance trade, economic growth, and regional integration. Namibia joined the TFTA by signing the agreement on 30 July 2018 and ratified it in 2019.
Benefits of the TFTA Agreement for Namibia
- The agreement offers the following benefits to the traders.
- Market Access: Namibian products gain preferential access to a large TFTA market, boosting export opportunities.
- Economic Growth: Facilitates trade, industrial development, and investment promotion.
- Regional Integration: Promotes regional economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and employment.
- Legal Framework: Establishes a strong legal and institutional framework for trade.
- Capacity Building: Provides technical assistance and capacity building to member states.
- No exclusion (meaning at the end of the phasedown period everything will be open)
Rules of Origin under the TFTA
Rules of Origin will be guided by Article 12 of the Agreement. Goods shall be eligible for preferential treatment under this Agreement if they are originating goods in any of the Tripartite Member/Partner States in accordance with the criteria and conditions set out in Annex 4 on Rules of Origin
Namibia’s participation in the TFTA is expected to significantly enhance its economic integration, trade opportunities, and overall economic growth within the region.