Drawing lessons from existing provisions on temporary movement of persons in selected African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), this study proposes ways forward on the matter for the current CFTA negotiations. Throughout Africa, interest in leveraging and disciplining trade in services is growing, and movement of persons should be looked at with special interest. It can not only play a key role in the supply and consumption of services across African borders, but also unleash trade in goods and regional value chains.
This study is published as part of the “Support to Enhance Development of Trade in Services Negotiations” initiative jointly undertaken by ILEAP, CUTS International Geneva and the University of Sussex’s CARIS and supported by the UK’s Trade Advocacy Fund. It aims to contribute to the increased and more effective participation of Least Developed, Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries and their Regional Economic Communities in multilateral, regional and bilateral services trade negotiations.