African Union (Au) and Challenges of Intra-African Trade: A Study of African Continental Free Trade Pact, 2018- 2023.

The study assessed the efforts of the African Union in addressing the challenge of poor intra-African trade using the AfCFTA between 2018 and 2023. The study specifically examined how the implementation of the AFCFTA impacted on intra-African trade profile, as well as how the African Union fared in deepening Africa’s market integration using the mechanisms of the AfCFTA. Anchored on the documentary method and Neo-functionalism, the study ascertained that the implementation of the AFCFTA has undermined the intra-African trade profile. The study also revealed that the African Union has not fared well in deepening Africa’s market integration using the mechanisms of the AfCFTA. Accordingly, the study contends that the AfCFTA deal, though a laudable initiative, may not surmount the enduring structural challenges to regional integration to reposition African economies and expand opportunities for all Africans as projected. The study thus underscores the fact that despite AfCFTA deal, Africa is likely to remain an ultimate loser in the growing regional trade arrangement which is a major feature of the world trading system. Among others, the study recommends that the African Union, through the mechanisms of AfCFTA, should work towards removing all non-tariff barriers and reducing tariff barriers that undermine intra-African trade. Keywords: AfCFTA, Intra-African Trade, Market Integration, Non-Tariff Barriers, Region Trade Challenges.