The AfCFTA Services Protocol covers financial services, transport, tourism, business services, and communication services. These sectors account for 55 percent of African GDP yet intra-African services trade is estimated at only $30 billion annually. The financial services chapter allows banks, insurers, and money transfer operators licensed in one AfCFTA country to passport their licence into others, subject to host-country prudential oversight. Several East African banks are already operating cross-border under this framework pending formal ratification.
Transport and Professional Mobility
The transport chapter addresses cabotage restrictions that prevent, for example, a Kenyan truck from carrying cargo between two Tanzanian points. Relaxing cabotage could reduce freight costs by 20 to 30 percent on key corridors by eliminating empty return runs. The services protocol also facilitates cross-border professional services, allowing engineers, accountants, and lawyers to work across borders under defined frameworks. Services sector businesses can explore cross-border opportunities via intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.