ODI Trade and Economic Development

Today, Nigeria🇳🇬 officially begins trading under Preferential Rules of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), marking a pivotal step towards regional trade and economic integration!    ODI is proud to be supporting Nigeria's journey towards AfCFTA implementation. Over the past year, we have worked closely with the Federal Government and the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office (AfCFTANG) on GTI preparedness and readiness, including convening stakeholder meetings and workshops.    In our recently launched report, authored by Yohannes Ayele, Maximiliano Mendez Parra and Teniola T. Tayo, delve into the economic opportunities and policy considerations that Nigeria can expect from GTI participation:   Key highlights from the report:   🔹 Eliminating tariffs under AfCFTA could boost Nigeria's exports and imports, leading to a net positive economic effect 🔹 Sectors like cashews, ginger, and manufactured goods have significant growth potential 🔹 Targeted policies can help address challenges like reduced tariff revenue and increased competition for domestic industries   We're grateful for the excellent collaboration with the Nigerian government and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for their support through funding of our flagship Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) Programme. Together, we're supporting Nigeria's integration into the continental free trade area and unlocking new trade opportunities.   📑 Read the full report to learn more about how Nigeria can maximise the benefits of the GTI and drive economic growth ➡ https://lnkd.in/e7uZbWkk   #Nigeria #AfCFTA #OneAfricanMarket #GuidedTradeInitiative African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

What does the future hold for UK-Africa relations under the new Labour government? The recent "Westminster Watch: Redefining UK Africa relations under the Labour Government" webinar, hosted by the Eastern Africa Association, tackled this critical question head-on. Our Director, Dirk Willem te Velde, joined a distinguished panel of experts, emphasising the need for a renewed, and stronger, partnership that benefits both regions. Key takeaways from Dirk's insights: 🔹 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is crucial for driving sustainable economic growth. The UK must actively support its implementation and align existing trade agreements with the AfCFTA to foster deeper integration and maximise impact. 🔹 Moving beyond traditional aid, the UK should prioritise initiatives that support sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent, particularly through the AFCFTA. 🔹 A clear and proactive UK trade strategy – one that welcomes African imports and encourages UK investment – is crucial for unlocking mutual economic benefits. This includes renewing partnerships focused on investment, continuing dialogue and supporting initiatives like the UK-Africa Investment Summit. 🔹 The UK should significantly step up its "Aid for Trade" efforts, providing targeted support to help African countries overcome trade barriers and realise their full export potential. 🔹 Addressing Africa's debt challenges through swift action and support for transformative growth to prevent future crises. 🔹 Building a truly mutually beneficial partnership requires a long-term approach focused on fostering sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent. The panel, which was moderated by Aby Agina and Agnes Gitau, also explored climate finance, security, infrastructure development, and more. This timely and important discussion was made possible with the support of the African Business Chamber (AfBC), Crestview Strategy and the Labour African Network. A recording will be available soon. #Africa #AfCFTA #TradeandInvestment #EconomicTransformation #Aid4Trade

Nigeria🇳🇬 is embracing digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)! Last week's landmark workshop, "Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy," highlighted the immense potential of digital trade for the nation's economy and the government's commitment to digital transformation. In a new blog, Senior Research Officer, Prachi Agarwal, dives deep into how Nigeria can harness the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol to become a digital powerhouse on the continent. Her three key takeaways for a successful digital future are: 1️⃣ Develop a robust national digital trade framework aligned with the AfCFTA DTP. 2️⃣ Empower the private sector through capacity building and targeted support. 3️⃣ Create an enabling environment by addressing infrastructure gaps and enhancing digital skills. 📰 Read more: https://lnkd.in/efrVevNt #Nigeria #AfCFTA #OneAfricanMarket #DigitalTrade #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #EconomicTransformation

Our Director, Dirk Willem te Velde, will be joining an esteemed panel to discuss the future of UK-Africa relations under the new Labour government. 🗓 Date and Time: 25 July 2024, 10:00 AM BST This timely discussion, hosted by the Eastern Africa Association, will dive into The Labour Party's foreign policy agenda and how it aligns with the aspirations of countries across Africa, with a focus on the East African region. Hosted by Agnes Gitau, Executive Director of the Eastern Africa Association, and moderated by Aby Agina from CNBC Africa, the panel includes: ▪ H.E Macenje "Che Che" Mazoka, High Commissioner of Zambia to the UK ▪ Baroness Sandy Verma, UK House of Lords: Former Energy and Climate Change Minister and former International Development Minister  ▪ Dirk Willem te Velde, Director of the International Development Group and the Principal Research Fellow at ODI.  ▪ Harry Burns, VP at Crestview Strategy and former Head of Elections for Labour ▪ Joseph Ochieno, Writer and Political Commentator on African Affairs ▪ Emma Ruiters, Senior Analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and UK Africa Policy Advisor for the Labour Africa Network. ➡ Register now: https://lnkd.in/eFGGiTw4 #ForeignPolicy #TradePolicy #EconomicDevelopment #Africa

It's #AfricaBlueEconomy Week! 🌊 Did you know that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can transform coastal economies across Africa? Earlier this year, we explored how regional trade integration can unlock the continent's vast blue economy potential. Our Senior Research Fellow, Jodie Keane, shared insights on: 🔹 Untapped opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture and maritime industries 🔹 Challenges and solutions for sustainable blue growth 🔹 How regional trade integration can boost economic growth for coastal communities 📺 | Catch the full discussion in English🇬🇧 and French🇫🇷 here: https://lnkd.in/eK8MGiU7 UNDP Africa | African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat #ABEW2024 #BlueEconomy #EconomicDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment

📣 JOB OPPORTUNITY! The International Economic Development Group (IEDG) at ODI is expanding and we're seeking passionate and talented individuals to join our team. You will be supporting or leading on key projects within the programme, undertaking innovative research and analysis and influencing the international debate on: ➡ Trade and investment: including supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and aid for trade ➡ Trade and environment: tackling green squeeze, resilient value chains, green industrial policy and trade and environment linkages ➡ International macroeconomics and finance, economic transformation and economic crises We have three fantastic research roles available: 🔹 Principal/Senior Research Fellow: https://lnkd.in/ePadC5RF 🔹 Research Fellow: https://lnkd.in/eNh7frVm 🔹 Senior Research Officer: https://lnkd.in/ebESs-2E Apply now via the links provided. ❗ DEADLINE: 31 July 2024 #ResearchJobs #ResearchOpportunities #EconomicDevelopment #EconomicTransformation #TradeandEnvironment #Hiring #Careers #JobOpportunity

📢 The deadline for submitting your research to the CGF-ODI-AERC Conference on "China-Africa Economic Interactions: Past, Present, and Future" is fast approaching! 🇨🇳🌍 Don't miss this opportunity to share your insights on the evolving landscape of trade, finance, debt, and more. ❗ Submit your paper by 28 July 2024. Details of the conference, to be held at SOAS University of London in September, will be shared soon. #China #Africa #ChinaAfrica #EconomicDevelopment #EconomicTransformation #CallForPapers

Last week, our Senior Research Officer, Prachi Agarwal, joined a high-level workshop hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria on “Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy". Prachi shared key insights from our latest report, "Advancing implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade in Nigeria," offering actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to: ▫ Assess Nigeria's digital trade readiness ▫ Understand public and private sector awareness of the AfCFTA protocol ▫ Enhance readiness and awareness to drive protocol implementation This crucial event shaped discussions on the future of digital trade in Nigeria and Africa, and the role of the AfCFTA in driving economic growth. ODI is proud to contribute to this crucial conversation through our FCDO-funded Supporting Investment and Trade (SITA) Programme. 📺 | Catch the full discussion: https://lnkd.in/eNCNRb7C 📑 | Read the report: https://lnkd.in/eMqiJe4E #Nigeria #Africa #DigitalTrade #AfCFTA #OneAfricanMarket

Last week, Nigeria🇳🇬 officially began trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), marking a pivotal step towards regional trade and economic integration. Our latest report under the Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) Programme delves into the economic opportunities and policy considerations that Nigeria can expect from GTI participation: Key highlights: 🔹 Eliminating tariffs under AfCFTA could boost Nigeria's exports and imports, leading to a net positive economic effect 🔹 Sectors like cashews, ginger, and manufactured goods have significant growth potential 🔹 Targeted policies can help address challenges like reduced tariff revenue and increased competition for domestic industries 📑 Read the full report to learn more about how Nigeria can maximise the benefits of the GTI and drive economic growth ➡ https://lnkd.in/e7uZbWkk #Nigeria #AfCFTA #OneAfricanMarket #GuidedTradeInitiative #IntraAfricanTrade | AfCFTANG | African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to transform trade and unlock economic growth across Africa. But how can we ensure women entrepreneurs have the support they need to fully benefit from this landmark agreement? A new report by Prachi Agarwal and Teniola T. Tayo explores this critical question. Drawing on interviews and case studies, the report examines the experiences of women exporters and national implementation committees under the AfCFTA's Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). 🔑 Key takeaways: ✒ While there is growing awareness of the AfCFTA and GTI, women exporters face significant barriers that threaten to leave them behind – from limited access to finance and logistics, to information gaps and digital divides. ✒ The report provides a roadmap of targeted, actionable policy recommendations to empower women-owned businesses and boost their participation in the GTI and the wider AfCFTA ecosystem. 📰 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eUQYb3Hk #AfCFTA #Africa #OneAfricanMarket #GuidedTradeInitiative #GenderEquality #WomenInTrade #WomenInBusiness #EconomicEmpowerment #WomenEmpowerment