Connecting people and markets within and between African countries and regions is a longstanding aspiration and a core part of the AfCFTA. Philomena Apiko, Amanda Bisong and Bruce Byiers look at how the free trade area and the AU’s free movement protocol alter state relations on trade and movement of people, and how AfCFTA implementation will interact with existing regional agendas and initiatives.

In the Central Sahel, climate commitments are hampered by a lack of coordination and finance, while insecurity puts further pressure on the region. Maelle Salzinger shares her thoughts on the ongoing COP26 and asks if the summit can help address some of these blockages.

With Luckystar Miyandazi, Pamella Ahairwe and San Bilal take a look at the EU’s list of tax havens, which exposes non-EU countries that encourage abusive tax practices and whose tax systems affect the EU tax base. They argue that the EU should address the list’s unintended economic consequences, enhance cooperation with developing countries and apply its standards to EU and non-EU countries alike.