Front runners and lagers of the African Continental Free Trade Area: How can we explain the differences in the implementation of AfCFTA in South Africa and Mozambique?
Translated title
Front runners and lagers of the African Continental Free Trade Area
Author
Horvath, Polett
Term
4. term
Publication year
2022
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger den Afrikanske Frihandelsaftale (AfCFTA) og forklarer, hvorfor implementeringen forløber forskelligt i Sydafrika og Mozambique. AfCFTA blev underskrevet i 2018 af 54 ud af 55 afrikanske lande, men ratificering og gennemførelse skrider frem i varierende tempo. Med en komparativ casestudie-tilgang og med afsæt i compliance-teori (bl.a. Beth Simmons) analyserer afhandlingen aftalens mål og udfordringer, den aktuelle status samt drivkræfter for overholdelse og ikke-overholdelse. Sydafrika fremstår som frontløber, idet landet ratificerede og deponerede aftalen i 2019 og har indført understøttende politikker for implementering, mens Mozambique har underskrevet men endnu ikke ratificeret og ikke foretaget tilsvarende politikændringer. Studiet bidrager med en kontekstualiseret forklaring på regeringers rationaler, peger på betydningen af overholdelse som første skridt i traktatgennemførelse og diskuterer perspektiver for den videre udvikling af AfCFTA.
This thesis examines the African Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and explains why implementation progresses differently in South Africa and Mozambique. AfCFTA was signed in 2018 by 54 of Africa’s 55 countries, yet ratification and execution advance at varying speeds. Using a comparative case study approach grounded in compliance theory (including Beth Simmons), the study analyzes the agreement’s objectives and challenges, its current status, and the drivers of compliance and non-compliance. South Africa appears as a front-runner, having ratified and deposited the agreement in 2019 and adopted supportive policies for implementation, while Mozambique has signed but not ratified and has not introduced corresponding policy changes. The thesis offers a contextual explanation of governmental rationales, highlights the importance of compliance as the first step in treaty execution, and discusses implications for AfCFTA’s future development.
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