In line with the decision of the 13^th Extra Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly held on 5^th December 2020, trading under the AfCFTA started on the 1^st January 2021. SACU regards the AfCFTA as a strategic continental instrument; hence, the implementation and leveraging of the AfCFTA has been prioritised as one of the pillars that underpin the recently approved SACU Strategic Plan for 2022–2027. SACU aims to position itself to take full advantage of the AfCFTA through industrialisation, the development of regional value chains, export promotion and investment attraction and promotion.

All SACU Member States have ratified the Agreement establishing the AfCFTA and the Tariff Offer of 7111 tariff lines, which represents 90 percent of the SACU Tariff Book in line with the Agreed Modalities for Tariff Liberalisation, was submitted to the AfCFTA Secretariat on the 13^th February 2023. The implementation of the AfCFTA is one of the priority areas in the Strategic plan of the SACU region and the following are the expected results:

1. A SACU-wide AfCFTA implementation strategy developed and implemented;
2. Promoting effective utilisation of the AfCFTA by the business community;
3. Increased investment, employment opportunities and income; and
4. Market and export diversification