The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), adopted by the African Union in 2018, aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting economic integration and continental unity. The book examines the AfCFTA's key provisions, emphasizing its role in addressing trade protectionism and the importance of citizen participation and sub-state actors in its success. It explores the development of a rules-based trading order in Africa, highlighting the shift from power-oriented to rules-oriented trade agreements. The AfCFTA's governance structures, including the AfCFTA Assembly, Council of Ministers, and Secretariat, are analyzed as transaction cost-reducing mechanisms. The book also discusses the AfCFTA's dispute settlement system, which aims to judicialize regional integration. The AfCFTA's protocols on trade in goods, services, and investment are reviewed, along with its role in enhancing competitiveness and addressing regional trade conflicts. The book argues that the AfCFTA's success depends on effective implementation, compliance, and the inclusion of sub-state actors in treaty governance. It concludes that the AfCFTA represents a significant step towards a rules-based African trading system, with potential for further development and expansion. The book also addresses the challenges of African trade agreements, including the lack of connection between elite decision-makers and domestic constituencies, and the need for civic engagement to ensure the success of the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA's role in promoting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, gender equality, and structural transformation of state parties is emphasized. The book underscores the importance of legal frameworks and judicial mechanisms in resolving trade disputes and ensuring the effectiveness of the AfCFTA.The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), adopted by the African Union in 2018, aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting economic integration and continental unity. The book examines the AfCFTA's key provisions, emphasizing its role in addressing trade protectionism and the importance of citizen participation and sub-state actors in its success. It explores the development of a rules-based trading order in Africa, highlighting the shift from power-oriented to rules-oriented trade agreements. The AfCFTA's governance structures, including the AfCFTA Assembly, Council of Ministers, and Secretariat, are analyzed as transaction cost-reducing mechanisms. The book also discusses the AfCFTA's dispute settlement system, which aims to judicialize regional integration. The AfCFTA's protocols on trade in goods, services, and investment are reviewed, along with its role in enhancing competitiveness and addressing regional trade conflicts. The book argues that the AfCFTA's success depends on effective implementation, compliance, and the inclusion of sub-state actors in treaty governance. It concludes that the AfCFTA represents a significant step towards a rules-based African trading system, with potential for further development and expansion. The book also addresses the challenges of African trade agreements, including the lack of connection between elite decision-makers and domestic constituencies, and the need for civic engagement to ensure the success of the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA's role in promoting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, gender equality, and structural transformation of state parties is emphasized. The book underscores the importance of legal frameworks and judicial mechanisms in resolving trade disputes and ensuring the effectiveness of the AfCFTA.