Questioning the Essence of Recognising African Continental Free Trade Area: What Developmental Prospects for Application?

Free trade has always been the foundamental pillar for an effective trade recognition and enforcement. African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a mile stone towards the consolidation of previous efforts for the creation of a continental-wide free trade area in Africa. The paper delves into the developmental prospects which Africa as a continent stands to gain from the AfCFTA. This article also looks at some possible factors which may stand as an impediment to the prospective gains of AfCFTA such as Geographical limitation, inadequate infrastructure, Huge Revenue Loses, irregular trade patterns and Cumbersome Formalities.The article used both the analytical and descriptive approaches on research documents focused on the AfCFTA. From the findings of this article, there is that opinion that free trade in Africa continue to be a nightmare marred with lots of barricades that hinders the effective recognition for the need to engage in trade dealings. However, the author’s own study concludes that the Achievement of any continental wide development though dependent on massive ratification of the AfCFTA agreement, needs a concerted effort by African nations to oversee the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement to the later.