DR Congo Urges Accelerated AfCFTA Tariff Concessions Application

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) urged other African states to expedite the implementation of trade commitments, particularly tariff concessions, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, citing persistently low intra-African trade.

This call by the DRC highlights the ongoing challenges in operationalizing the AfCFTA, a landmark agreement aimed at boosting intra-African trade and economic integration. For practitioners, it underscores the importance of understanding the AfCFTA protocols, particularly those related to tariff reduction schedules, rules of origin, and dispute settlement mechanisms. The slow implementation impacts businesses seeking to leverage the continental market, as non-tariff barriers and inconsistent application of agreed concessions continue to hinder cross-border trade, thereby limiting the economic benefits envisioned by the agreement.

The AfCFTA Agreement, which entered into force in 2019, is a comprehensive legal instrument establishing a single market for goods and services across Africa. Key protocols include the Protocol on Trade in Goods, which details tariff liberalization schedules, and the Protocol on Dispute Settlement, designed to resolve trade disputes among member states. The DRC's position reflects the need for member states to fulfill their obligations under these protocols, which are legally binding. Domestically, the DRC, like other member states, must integrate AfCFTA provisions into its national legal framework, including customs laws, trade regulations, and administrative procedures, to facilitate the agreed tariff concessions. The African Union (AU) and the AfCFTA Secretariat are the primary bodies overseeing the agreement's implementation and compliance, often through monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

Key parties involved include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as an advocating member state, other African states party to the AfCFTA, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the African Union (AU). These entities are collectively responsible for the negotiation, ratification, and implementation of the AfCFTA, and their interactions shape the pace and effectiveness of continental trade integration.

Attorneys advising businesses engaged in or planning to engage in intra-African trade must now closely monitor the progress of AfCFTA implementation, particularly the actual application of tariff concessions and the resolution of non-tariff barriers. Businesses should assess their supply chains and market entry strategies in light of evolving trade policies and potential enforcement of AfCFTA rules. Understanding the specific commitments made by individual member states, the mechanisms for addressing non-compliance, and the evolving regulatory landscape will be crucial for navigating the continental trade landscape and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.