The AfCFTA presents a historic opportunity to deepen intra-African trade and reduce reliance on extra-continental intermediaries. However, tariff reductions alone are insufficient. Non-tariff barriers (NTB), regulatory misalignment, logistics inefficiencies, limited market intelligence, and weak buyer-supplier linkages and trust continue to constrain direct trade flows.

The Ethiopia–Algeria coffee trade case reflects a broader structural challenge in intra-African trade, characterized by limited direct market access, insufficient understanding of destination market requirements, weak adaptation of branding and packaging to specific markets, limited availability and utilization of African trade finance instruments, and persistent gaps in ...