China and the Future of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTR): Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The paper examines the nexus between China’s coupling and economic relations with Africa under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). It also analyses the future of ACFTR especially with the technical support African states will be enjoying through their collaboration with China or in the absence of such support, how Africa may utilize the opportunities available and the likely challenges to encounter in the implementation of ACFTA. Using the secondary source of data, findings show that the implementation of ACFTA can lead to substantial higher bilateral trade between China and Africa. The paper concludes that both in the short and long run, China and African countries stand to benefit immensely in the implementation of ACFTA. The paper recommends that African countries should ratify and domesticate ACFTA and should collaborate with China for the purpose of harnessing the opportunities and surmounting the likely challenges that may emanate from the implementation process.