Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening the AfCFTA Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative to develop a 10-year federal strategy to promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development must establish an AfCFTA Trade Capacity Building Program to support the implementation of the strategy.
Sponsors: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals living in African countries participating in AfCFTA
Estimated Size: 100000
- The bill focuses on the African Continental Free Trade Area, which consists of 54 African countries.
- The AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, involving over 1.3 billion people.
- Improved trade relations and capacity building can potentially boost the economies of member states, impacting a large portion of Africa's population.
- Secondary benefits may include increased employment opportunities and economic growth, affecting individuals engaged in trade, manufacturing, and services sectors in participating countries.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily targets U.S. stakeholders who would be involved in trade relations with Africa, including businesses involved in import/export, trade associations, and consumers who might experience changes in product prices and availability.
- Given the budget constraints, the policy's direct impact within the U.S. will likely be focused on sectors heavily involved in African trade, such as agriculture, textiles, and technology. This impact might be low to medium for individuals not directly engaged in these sectors.
- Wellbeing impact assessments need to reflect both directly impacted individuals and those indirectly affected through economic shifts or employment changes.
- Considering the budget and target, the policy will be selectively impactful, hence its influence on individuals not directly related to trade with Africa will be minimal.
Simulated Interviews
Textile Import Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful that this policy will ease trade barriers and bring more business opportunities.
- Access to a larger market through the AfCFTA could boost our imports and help expand our company.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could open new tech markets in Africa, which is exciting for our company's expansion goals.
- I'm interested in the opportunities for technological partnerships this might bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Senior Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy will strengthen U.S.-Africa ties, fostering economic growth.
- It's a strategic move that may have long-term benefits for both U.S. interests and African trade partners.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Logistics Coordinator (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could streamline some logistics operations and increase volume, which would be great for business.
- Hopefully, it reduces red tape and makes shipping smoother.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
University Professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is an excellent case study for my students and could lead to more research opportunities.
- I'm eager to see how it affects U.S.-Africa trade in concrete terms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
CEO of a Small Manufacturing Firm (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- AfCFTA could potentially open new markets for our products.
- I'm cautiously optimistic about the reduction in trade barriers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Marketing Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could improve our sourcing options and supply chain diversity.
- I expect more competitive pricing due to increased market access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Research Assistant (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy offers a unique perspective in my research field.
- I'm interested to see how effectively the U.S. engages with the AfCFTA.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled to see continued efforts to enhance trade with Africa.
- I believe this policy is a step forward in international collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Agricultural Exporter (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm very optimistic about this policy; it might make it easier to reach more African countries.
- Would love to see reductions in tariffs and quicker trade processing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 2: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 3: $125000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $160000000)
Year 5: $125000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $160000000)
Year 10: $130000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $170000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The complexity of engaging with multiple African nations under the AfCFTA setup.
- Persistent infrastructure and logistical challenges in some African regions might require additional collaboration.
- Ensuring that capacity-building programs are effectively aligned with the needs of each member state.
- Transition challenges for existing U.S. trade policies or frameworks in Africa.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure strategy goals are being met.