Briefing Paper

What are the Potential Benefits and Pitfalls of a Free Trade Area in the Southern African Region

“Integration can take many forms and as such, the question necessarily arises; is a
free trade area the ideal mechanism for the Southern African region? Even if it is the
ideal mechanism in a theoretical sense, is the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area(FTA) likely to succeed in the regions’ current economic environment? This policy brief considers the merits and pitfalls of a free trade agreement for the Southern African region.”