An Assessment of Strategic National Interest on African Continental Free Trade Area: a Case Study of Kenya.
Abstract
This research assesses Kenya’s Strategic National Interest and preparedness in the Africa
Continental Free Trade Area in line with the country development agenda in the context of the
existing policy framework. The research project, uses Kenya as a case study in terms of
preparedness, by identifying specific key areas cutting across from infrastructure, human
capital and other relevant technical expertise. Kenya’s development strategies which are tied
around sectoral reforms and the Vision 2030 are instrumental in the justification of economic
growth and development through the promotion of improved economic policies and resource.
Specific scholars and conceptual framework has been considered in the analysis and
assessment of the Countries readiness to tap into the African Continental Free Trade Area
economic prospects. This study adopted descriptive survey because it targets both qualitative
and quantitative statistics. Both primary and secondary data was used. This study targeted a
mix number of respondents, which includes respondents from Ministry of Industrialization
Trade and Enterprise Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya National Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, Business Community and the Public. The sample size of the study
was 51 respondents chosen using the stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were utilized
for this study. The data collected was processed to make it clean and suitable for analysis. The
processed records were then analysed using descriptive statistical analysis (degree of important
tendencies) through Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23. The analysed data was presented
using graphs and pie charts. The study found that the respondents were aware of the
operationalization process of AFCFTA. The study also found that although the government
had preparation measures in place in implementing its interest in AFCFTA these initiatives
were unknown to a majority of the respondents both in private and public domain, hence these
measures cannot be utilized fully. The study concludes that more people in the public domain
could explore the opportunities presented by AFCFTA in their business undertakings, if they
have all the information required to participate in AFCFTA. As a result, this study suggests
that governments should negotiate a wide variety of complicated regulations and underlying
public policy issues controlling market access and regulating service supply, particularly in
areas where negotiation and liberalization are prioritized. In most nations, there is no one entity
in charge of all policies controlling trade in services; instead, the task is divided among many
ministries and agencies.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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