The AfCFTA is governed by a set of operational instruments to support the realisation of increased intra-African trade.

1. African Trade Observatory 

This intelligence tool being hosted by the African Union (AU) has been developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and supported by the European Union (EU). The tool is designed to enable firms to easily explore and compare trade opportunities across Africa, and has been released ahead of the start of trading under the new African Continental Free Trade Area. The African Trade Observatory is especially valuable for empowering the economic operators during this COVID-19 pandemic, ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized that ITC is putting an entire continent of trade intelligence at the fingertips of African entrepreneurs, especially to support small local firms, women, and young people in making the most of new opportunities.