14 Nov 2022

Written by Dr Francis Vorhies

The 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the first to be held since the commencement of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Hence, it is useful for African Parties to CITES to consider how they might ensure policy coherence for sustainable development (SDG Target 17.14) between CITES and AfCFTA. Further attention to the livelihoods implications of CITES COP19 decisions could be useful.

AfCFTA aims “to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade… [and] contribute to establishing regional value chains in Africa, enabling investment and job creation… The bulk of the AfCFTA benefits will be realised if State Parties efficiently manage and eliminate NTBs [non-tariff barriers].”

CITES, on the other hand, “works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls.” These controls are non-tariff barriers requiring that imports and exports of wildlife products be “authorised through a licensing system.” With respect to establishing regional value chains in Africa, the AfCFTA aim to eliminate trade barriers may be at odds with the CITES aim to establish trade barriers to conserve species.

Socio-economic factors may have a major influence on whether the aims of CITES trade measures will be realised. Further, for African Parties to CITES, these trade measures may also be at odds with AfCFTA, and livelihood impact assessments could identify pathways for policy coherence.

See: CITES, AfCFTA, and Livelihoods Implications of the COP19 Appendices Proposals

Francis Vorhies

AWEI Director, WildCRU Research Fellow, and IUCN SULi member