Navigating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kenya: Issues, Lessons Learnt, and Strategies

Tabitha Kiriti-Nganga ()
Additional contact information
Tabitha Kiriti-Nganga: University of Nairobi, Department of Economics and Development Studies

Chapter Chapter 9 in From Policy to Practice: Challenges and Ways Forward on the Implementation of the AfCFTA, 2026, pp 181-203 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines Kenya’s experience with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area focusing particularly on the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). It outlines the strategic policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and export achievements underpinning Kenya’s participation in trade in the African region. The analysis identifies key challenges, including non-tariff barriers, complex rules of origin, poor infrastructure, limited internet access, political instability, and difficulties in accessing finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Drawing from the lessons learnt during the initial phase of the GTI, this chapter proposes targeted strategies such as trade facilitation, investment in transport and digital infrastructure, harmonization of standards, stakeholder engagement, and improved regulatory alignment. This chapter concludes that Kenya can enhance its competitiveness and deepen its integration into AfCFTA by addressing structural gaps and fostering inclusive, SME-driven growth.

Keywords: AfCFTA; Guided trade initiative; Kenya; Intra-African trade; SMEs; Trade facilitation; Rules of origin; Non-tariff barriers; Infrastructure; Digital trade; Economic integration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-14051-7_9

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783032140517

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-14051-7_9

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Springer Books from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().