Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area: Prospects for Kenya

The study focuses on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area prospects for Kenya. Despite the East African Member states being part of AU member countries that have assented to the AfCFTA treaty, the full effects of the agreement have yet to be fully realized due to their exposure to trade barriers. In the same vein, Kenya lacks the requisite customs processes and infrastructure to implement tariff-free trade under AfCFTA effectively. The study therefore investigates the complexities surrounding fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area with a focus on challenges and prospects for Kenya - identifying the capability of the African Continental Free Trade Area to strengthen Kenya's trade with other countries in the EAC region, evaluating the strategies employed in liberalization of trade in Kenya through implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as analyzing the challenges facing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Areas by the key stakeholders. The research methodology employed qualitative research design approach and phenomenological and content analysis approach. The focus was on Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development; East African Community, and Higher learning institutions. The participants were selected using a convenient strategy where interview schedules were administered to key informants. The data was collected using interview schedules which were administered to participants after consent, recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes. The study identified the Manufacturing sector, high tariffs reduction; limited state’s manufacturing diversification; intra-regional trade support as some of the AfCFTA capabilities; implementation of AfCFTA was found to enhance the local supply chain productivity through promoting economic collaboration, regulations coordination, and transportation; implementation of the treaty promoted accessibility of regional and foreign markets by assisting to identify priority areas, eliminate tariffs, liberalize trade as well as eliminate excess non-tariff barriers. Challenges facing AfCFTA implementation in Kenya were such as the absence of political support, non-tariff barriers, and insufficient infrastructure, lack of political good will, and political unrest. The study concludes by giving recommendations to policy makers on issue areas of utmost importance with regards to AfCFTA’s implementation in Kenya.