Assessing Awareness and Trade Facilitation Under the AfCFTA: A Focus on Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders in the Southern African Development Community

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade present significant opportunities for trade facilitation reforms, particularly for small-scale crossborder traders (SSCBTs). However, the success of these initiatives hinges on the awareness and participation of these key stakeholders. This study investigates the awareness levels of SSCBTs regarding the AfCFTA, and analyses their understanding of trade facilitation reforms and their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of these reforms. Drawing on border reviews across 12 SADC commercial border posts and on interviews with traders and customs officials, the study identities significant gaps in awareness, with 56.4% of respondents unaware of the AfCFTA. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and stakeholder consultations to bridge knowledge gaps and increase the inclusion of SSCBTs in regional trade integration efforts.