Celebrating the Launch of a New Book by the NWU WTO Chair Team

The WTO Chair at North-West University (NWU) proudly marks the launch of the new book, Increasing Intra-African Trade – Can the African Continental Free Trade Area Be the Game Changer?, edited by Wilma Viviers, Martin Cameron, and Leila Baghdadi. Featuring contributions from several TRADE members, the volume presents cutting-edge research aimed at unlocking Africa’s intra-continental trade potential.

The research project behind this book began in 2019 as a collaboration between NWU and the University of Tunis, under the guidance of former WTO Chairs Prof. Wilma Viviers (South Africa) and Prof. Leila Baghdadi (Tunisia). The book is a compilation of insights and findings from this sustained engagement.

The launch took place on 12 March 2026 at the 2026 User Group Conference, hosted by the NWU WTO Chair in collaboration with Trade Research Advisory, with approximately 50 delegates from academia, government, and the private sector. The event provided a platform to discuss the book’s insights, foster dialogue on Africa’s trade integration, and highlight evidence-based strategies for implementing the AfCFTA.

As the third volume in a series on international trade and development, the book tackles one of Africa’s most pressing questions: how to translate the promise of continental integration into measurable economic outcomes. Using the TRADE-DSM (Decision Support Model) alongside product space methodology, the book identifies actionable trade opportunities, offering a roadmap for export diversification and economic transformation. Case studies from Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, and the Economic Community of Central African States illustrate practical strategies for overcoming barriers such as infrastructure gaps, high logistics costs, and limited productive capacity.
Combining analytical rigor with strong policy relevance, this volume is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, trade officials, and private-sector leaders navigating Africa’s evolving trade landscape. Its launch reflects the WTO Chair’s commitment to translating research into real-world impact, accelerating intra-African trade, and strengthening continental economic integration.

The book is available for download here:
https://books.aosis.co.za/index.php/ob/catalog/book/371