Gendered Trade Governance in African Trade Agreements: A Critical Policy Analysis of AfCFTA, SADC and COMESA

Background African trade agreements are central instruments for promoting regional economic integration, trade liberalisation, and sustainable development. Although these agreements increasingly recognise inclusive economic development, limited attention has been given to how gender is constructed within their governance frameworks. This study examines Gendered Trade Governance in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade, and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Treaty. Methods A qualitative critical policy analysis of the AfCFTA Agreement, SADC Protocol on Trade, and COMESA Treaty was conducted. The analysis focused on three dimensions: gender inclusivity, implementation and trade procedures, and economic opportunities. Findings were interpreted through Feminist Political Economy and Intersectionality to examine how governance structures shape women’s participation in small-scale cross-border trade. Results The AfCFTA provides explicit commitments to gender equality, while the SADC Protocol on Trade and COMESA Treaty demonstrate more limited gender responsiveness. Across all three agreements, gender commitments remain weakly operationalised within governance and implementation frameworks. African trade governance continues to privilege formal systems of trade participation, contributing to the institutional marginalisation of women engaged in informal cross-border trade despite their significant contribution to regional economies. Conclusions The principal challenge within African trade governance lies not only in policy implementation but also in governance design. By introducing Gendered Trade Governance as an analytical lens, this study provides a framework for understanding how policy design and implementation shape women’s participation in regional trade and highlights the need for more gender-responsive governance mechanisms.