Ratification of the CISG: A Way Forward to Ensure Success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Abstract

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) established in March 2018 has recently commenced trading under the free trade area on the 1^st January 2021. Except for Eritrea, all the remaining 54 member states of the Africa union signed up to the agreement. Ever since the WTO creation, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area is considered the largest in the world in terms of the number of contracting states. Several authors have indicated that the establishment of this agreement is a success to Africa. However, the researcher believes that the uniformity of laws concerning the international sale of goods has become crucial for the smooth operations of African Trade. The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is a breakthrough effort by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to unify the laws pertaining to contracts for the international sale of goods.This study argues that, for a smooth operation of the AfCFTA, there is a need for all African countries to sign and ratify the CISG which is also known as the Vienna Convention. The proposed appeal holds benefits for the continent and it is easy and judicious to implement.

Keywords: AfCFTA, CISG, Africa

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/107-01

Publication date:March 31^st 2021