4
(w) “Third Party” means a State(s) that is not a party to this
Agreement except as otherwise defined in this Agreement; and
(x)
“WTO” means the World Trade Organization, as established in
terms of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade
Organization of 1994.
PART II
ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPLES AND SCOPE
Article 2
Establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area
The African Continental Free Trade Area (hereinafter referred to as “the
AfCFTA”) is hereby established.
Article 3
General Objectives
The general objectives of the AfCFTA are to:
(a)
create a single market for goods, services, facilitated by
movement of persons in order to deepen the economic integration
of the African continent and in accordance with the Pan African
Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa”
enshrined in Agenda 2063;
(b)
create a liberalised market for goods and services through
successive rounds of negotiations;
(c)
contribute to the movement of capital and natural persons and
facilitate investments building on the initiatives and developments
in the State Parties and RECs;
(d)
lay the foundation for the establishment of a Continental Customs
Union at a later stage;
(e)
promote and attain sustainable and inclusive socio-economic
development, gender equality and structural transformation of the
State Parties;
(f)
enhance the competitiveness of the economies of State Parties
within the continent and the global market;
(g)
promote industrial development through diversification and
regional value chain development, agricultural development and
food security; and