ISDS Case Map
EPAs
Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and ACP countries (under the Cotonou Agreement)
The negative effects of opening up 75 percent of ECOWAS markets, with its 300 million consumers, to Europe over a 20-year period, are legion and cut across all facets of the economic life of Africa.
Liberalising its market at 80 per cent to the European market might be harzardous if the country is not prepared to face stiff competition that is expected to come with the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA.
The EU is promoting the deal to boost its trade and expand its investment in the country. But, manufacturers are opposed to the deal’s endorsement.
The noise over perceived negative effects of the EPA between the European Union and ECOWAS on the Nigerian economy particularly the manufacturing sector is self-inflicted because Nigeria failed to do what it ought to do during the negotiations
If for the Caribbean the future relationship with EU is to be less about trade and development and more about a political dialogue, new thinking and a fundamental re-assessment of the balance in external relations is required.
The European Union and five Southern African Development Community states will meet in Botswana in May to sign a trade deal that has taken at least 10 years to complete.
Text agreed to July 2014, the tariffs in October 2015, to be signed May 2016.
As released by the European Commission
As released by the European Commission
