Africa’s role in the world trading system is currently receiving increased attention. In 2018, the members of the African Union (AU) adopted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to create the world’s largest free trade area in terms of participating countries. On 1 January 2021, Africa began trading under the AfCFTA, while negotiations continue on further protocols beyond trade in goods. While political attention currently rests with implementing the AfCFTA, discussions about a stronger trade cooperation between the African countries and European Union (EU) members are also underway, including an intercontinental trade agreement between the AU and the European Union (EU).

Against this background, this workshop provides an opportunity to exchange, in particular among researchers and trade experts, on the possible design of a future AU-EU trade agreement as well as its potentials and challenges. The workshop will focus on an upcoming study on “A fair European-African trade agreement” that was prepared by a team of researchers led by Prof. Peter-Tobias Stoll of the University of Göttingen. In addition to the study team, the panel will feature trade experts from Africa and Europe.