Sustainable Development under AfCFTA : Dimensions, Limitations and Prospects

Title data

Ajibo, Collins Chikodili ; Kaime, Thokozani:
Sustainable Development under AfCFTA : Dimensions, Limitations and Prospects.
In: Law and Development Review. Vol. 18 (2025) Issue 1 . - pp. 65-95.
ISSN 1943-3867
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ldr-2023-0127

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Sustainable development constitutes a catch phrase for integrated and inclusive development more so in Africa that is battling with development challenges. Despite its legitimization at the highest institutional level, a principal impediment encountered in the concretization of sustainable development principles (environmental, social and economic) in Africa remains the enforcement conundrum. The situation is compounded by indifference of the state and non-state actors. Cases of environmental damage, social malpractices and economic marginalization in the execution of trade and investment policies are largely treated with levity, with prioritization accorded to financial accruals over disciplining delinquent behaviour. Consequently, the emergence of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) with provisions on sustainable development renews hope for the concretization of the sustainable development principles in Africa. A crystallization of effective enforcement of sustainable development principles is deeply intertwined with an existence of an effective peer-review mechanism with a network of reporting linkages. Arguably, effective peer review system is fundamental to assessment of state of play, investigation of violations, collation of reports, and institutional strengthening to change the dynamics in favour of improved performance.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	economic; social; environmental; development; concretisation; enforceability
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Law, Business and Economics > Department of Law > Chair African Legal Studies > Chair African Legal Studies - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thokozani Kaime
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 340 Law
Date Deposited:	15 Apr 2026 07:26
Last Modified:	15 Apr 2026 07:26
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/96786