Namibia's Trade in Services Commitments under the AfCFTA

 

1. The AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services (Protocol) establishes the rules for liberalising trade in services between State Parties Trade in Services - AfCFTA. The Protocol aims to boost intra-African trade in services based on the four modes of supply:
   • cross-border supply,
   • consumption abroad
   • commercial presence, and
   • temporary movement of natural persons.
2. The Protocol entered into force on 30 May 2019. The Protocol liberalises services trade through market access commitments under Schedules of Specific Commitments, and regulatory frameworks for each sector.
3. The Protocol on Trade in Services outlines the mandate for the negotiations at the AfCFTA.
4. The first phase of the services negotiations is still ongoing and covers five priority services sectors: (i) business; (ii) communication; (iii) financial; (iv) tourism; and (v) transport. 
5. Currently there are 48 initial and revised offers from both State and non-State Parties currently being considered and the request/offer process being at a fairly advanced stage
6. Namibia is negotiating trade in services commitments under AfCFTA independently (not as part SACU).
7. Namibia submitted its trade in services schedules which have been adopted by the African Union Authority in February 2023.
8. Namibia's final revised trade in services offer under the AfCFTA can be found here
9. For each country, the schedules of specific commitments outline the terms and conditions on market access, conditions to qualify for national treatment, undertaking additional commitments, and timeframes for implementation of such commitments in each service sector.