About

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About IATCC

Mission Statement

To strategically empower every stakeholder—governments, businesses, and communities—by providing the capacity, knowledge, and tools to unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA, turning policy commitments into tangible outcomes and inclusive economic transformation across Africa.

Country Readiness and Assessment

Developing digitized and customized assessment reports that evaluate national readiness, identify institutional and capacity gaps, and provide evidence-based guidance to inform targeted policy actions and strategic interventions.

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Farmers joyfully harvest tomatoes in a sunny Nigerian field.

OVERVIEW

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), adopted in 2018, is a landmark
achievement in Africa’s integration agenda, laying the foundation for a single
African market and creating the world’s largest free trade area by membership.
Yet its promise is not automatic. Real progress depends on the ability of
governments, enterprises, and communities to act deliberately and strategically.
The Intra-African Trade Capacity Centre (IATCC) was founded to meet this
challenge. We support the building of capacity among stakeholders to transform
AfCFTA commitments into practical outcomes that advance the single African
market

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A tractor and truck collaborate in harvesting crops on a sunny farm field.
A detailed image of a cacao pod and beans drying outdoors in a Colombian plantation.
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African woman vendor in a vibrant market selling yams, highlighting traditional commerce and culture.
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Focus Areas

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Capacity Building

Training and coaching
entrepreneurs, trade officials, and
institutions to apply AfCFTA
provisions, including Rules of
Origin and market-readines
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Implementation Support

Providing technical assistance,
readiness assessments, and
operational frameworks for
effective AfCFTA delivery
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Market Access

Offering market intelligence and
facilitating access to new
opportunities across Africa
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Thought Leadership
& Advocacy

Promoting research, knowledge
sharing, and policy dialogue to
shape effective trade policies.

Team Profile

Dr. Fareed Arthur

Chief Executive Office/Executive Consultant

Dr. Fareed Arthur is a veteran economist and trade policy expert with over 40 years of experience in African integration and institutional reform. A central figure in the conceptualization and operationalization of the AfCFTA, he has held high-level roles including Deputy Chief of Staff at the African Union Commission and National AfCFTA Coordinator for Ghana. His extensive career is defined by his leadership in international trade facilitation on strategic planning.

Mr. Jacob Gyamfi-Aidoo

Chief Operations Officer

Mr. Jacob Gyamfi-Aidoo is a seasoned development facilitation practitioner with an extensive background in supporting global
institutions like the United Nations, The World Bank, and the African
Union Commission. A specialist in institutional development and multi-stakeholder facilitation, he previously spearheaded stakeholder engagement and capacity-building efforts for the AfCFTA in Ghana.

Mr. Kofi Dake

Senior Consultant

Mr. Kofi Dake is an accomplished Operations and Business Development Specialist with experience in trade facilitation, highlighted by his leadership in AfCFTA market expeditions to Kenya and Tanzania, alongside deep commitment to scaling MSMEs through export-readiness training, strategic planning, and value chain assessments.

Dr .Gabila Nubong

Research and Implementation

Dr. Gabila Nubong is an esteemed Political Economist and Associate Professor at the School of Economics, North-West University, South Africa. His expertise lies at the intersection of developmental regionalism, comparative regionalism, and international trade. Dr. Nubong has a distinguished record of advising global institutions, including the World Bank, the UNDP, and the European Union Delegation to South Africa.