After years of negotiations certain SADC (Southern African Development Community) Member States have finally signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU). The SADC configuration for the EPA consist of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. The EPA agreement finally addresses the concerns of the old Cotonou Agreement and will replace South Africa’s Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) with the EU.

Under the SADC EPA Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland will have 100% duty free access to the EU market. South Africa’s access to the EU market is different as only 98.7% of the customs duties have been partly or wholly removed. The EU does not have the same level of access to the SADC EPA Member States’ markets. Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland removed approximately 86% of their duties whilst Mozambique removed 74% of its duties for EU imports.

Although the negotiations began in 2004 and the agreement has now been signed, each SADC EPA Member State and the European Parliament must now ratify the agreement before it comes into force.

For more information on the SADC EU Economic Partnership Agreement, kindly do not hesitate to contact us.

Rian Geldenhuys
© Trade Law Chambers 2016