Horn of africa Bulletin

Informal Cross Border Trade – the Pivot for the Success of the African Continental Free Trade Area

Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) plays a crucial role in the Horn of Africa (HoA) by enhancing the livelihood and food security of the borderlands’ communities. The HoA region is endowed with an abundance of natural resources that, if well utilized, have a high potential to yield inclusive growth and reduce poverty in the region, amidst climate change and increased population growth. Likewise, it is also an area prone to communal conflicts and civil wars.

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Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) plays a crucial role in the Horn of Africa (HoA) by enhancing the livelihood and food security of the borderlands’ communities. The HoA region is endowed with an abundance of natural resources that, if well utilized, have a high potential to yield inclusive growth and reduce poverty in the region, amidst climate change and increased population growth. Likewise, it is also an area prone to communal conflicts and civil wars. This article aims to look at ICBT in the HoA region, addressing the following questions: What are the factors that influence community participation in ICBT? Why is ICBT very crucial in the HoA region? What role does the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) play with regard to ICBT? How does the ICBT contribute to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).