Join us on an insightful evening with authors Francis Mangeni and Andrew Mold as they launch their most awaited book in London: ‘Borderless Africa: A Sceptic’s Guide to the Continental Free Trade Area’, an expert panel discussion on the largest free-trade zone in the world.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, established in 2018, represented a monumental step forward for Africa in terms of meeting longstanding aspirations for greater economic and political integration. But it has nonetheless been met with scepticism in some quarters, both within the continent and beyond. Borderless Africa makes the case for the AfCFTA in an accessible and compelling way, without shying away from technical and academic debates.

Francis Mangeni and Andrew Mold take us on a journey through the different dimensions and implications of the AfCFTA, the largest free-trade zone in the world, starting with its underlying economic rationale. Pointing to the numerous historical examples of successful regional integration, they argue that the African continent will need to take on board such lessons as the agreement is implemented.

During the event a diverse panel of experts will discuss the more controversial elements of the AfCFTA, including the freedom of movement protocol, contending that this should not be seen as an optional extra, but as an intrinsic part of the accord. The opening remarks by the acclaimed author Ha-Joon Chang. Expect a interactive session with the authors and Q&A.

Signing of Books available on the day. Order your copy here and redeem the 25% discount: BORDERLESS25.

Limited spaces, please register to guarantee your space.

ONLINE ADMISSION

If you are not attending in person, please Clique here to join online via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

AUTHORS

Dr. Francis Mangeni is Advisor to the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and former COMESA Director of Trade, Customs and Monetary Affairs.

Dr. Andrew Mold is a Senior Economic Affairs Officer at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and has worked for the UN extensively in Latin America and across the African continent.

MODERATOR

Dr. Dennis Matanda | Chief Executive, Morgenthau Stirling, Inc, & Adj. Professor of American Politics + International Business

PANEL

Professor Ha-Joon Chang | Research Professor at the Department of Economics of SOAS University of London and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST)

Professor Raphie Kaplinsky | Honorary Professor at the Science Policy Research Unit and an Emeritus Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex

Professor David Luke | Professor in practice and Strategic Director at the LSE Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa

Liz May | Senior Researcher with the SOAS Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD) Institute

Hannah Muthonni Ryder | Founder and CEO of Africa Reimagined

Berna Namata | Freelance Journalist