AFRYKAŃSKA KONTYNENTALNA STREFA WOLNEGO HANDLU: SZANSE I ZAGROŻENIA DLA PROCESU INTEGRACJI EKONOMICZNEJ W AFRYCE
AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA- OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS OFR THE PRECESS OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN AFRICA

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the article is to explain the factors influencing the process ofeconomic integration in Africa in the 21st century, with particular reference to theAfrican Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The article identifies opportunities andthreats to this process, and attempts to identify possible outcomes of economicintegration in Africa. AfCFTA is the largest such zone in the world, taking into accountthe number of participating countries. Success in achieving the objectives of AfCFTAcan significantly change the structure of African economies, and indirectly improve theposition of African countries in world trade. In a broader aspect, apart from theeconomic one, AfCFTA may be an instrument that strengthens actions aimed at meetingserious social challenges (reduction of the number of people living in poverty,improvement of the quality of life of the population). In the long run, if consistentintegration efforts are maintained and obstacles to full economic integration areovercome, Africa can be expected to accelerate the pace of socio-economic developmentand make a profound structural change to its economy. However, it appears, whenconsidering the social and economic challenges that still need to be addressed, that thesigning and entry into force of the AfCFTA alone is an insufficient step to decisivelychange Africa's position on the global stage, including increasing its share of globaltrade.

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