The deal on the Tripartite FreeTrade Area – it’s formal name – will integrate three existing blocs in East Africa, in Eastern and Southern Africa and the bloc that South Africa belongs to – the Southern African Development Community. It could make African goods cheaper across the continent. And if they’re manufactured in several countries, the final goods will be more competitive globally. A timeline to bring down trade barriers still needs to be worked out and the deal needs to be ratified in national parliaments within two years.

Source: SABC Digital News