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Driving African Economic Integration
Through Empowered Negotiations
INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATION FACILITATION
SUCCESS STORIES

Some contributions facilitating intra-African trade negotiations

0
Decision adopted 47 states

✔ Consensus on the treatment of goods manufactured in special economic zones reach after 4 years of stalemate

AfCFTA
Special economic zones

AfCFTA Special economic zones - Astove Conseil Agreement Trade
0
500+ rules of origin adopted

✔ Adoption of outstanding critical definitions to allow the correct implementation
✔ Extra rules in the agro-processing, sugar and textiles sectors increase by nearly 5.8% of the HS coverage, representing a yearly amount of about $ 5.1 billion

AfCFTA
Rules of origin

Ministerial decision ZLECAF agreement expert firm Astove Conseil
1
Trade dispute resolved within 5 months

✔ Bilateral negotiation between Kenya and Seychelles for the resolution of a trade dispute under the COMESA FTA

✔ Dispute resolved within 5 months after 4 years of stalemate

COMESA FTA
Non-tariff barrier 

Comesa FTA Non tariff barier
Success stories

Some contributions facilitating intra-African trade negotiations

OUR VISION

Promoting Africa's emergence as
a global economic power

We align ourselves with the vision of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity, to create a united and prosperous Africa that works on an equal footing with its international partners.

The chosen path by the African Union to achieve this goal is regional integration through the establishment of regional economic agreements.

 

Our mission is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among the member states of the AfCFTA, by providing technical assistance and capacity building, and promoting cooperation, to build trust in the AfCFTA and thereby enhance the success of its missions.

Facilitating dialogue and collaboration

Clear, informed and structured negotiations

Promoting Africa's emergence as a global economic power - Astove Conseil
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Technical Expertise Agency

Supporting you to enhance the relevance of your commitments regarding intergovernmental negotiations
  • Dialogue facilitation between negotiation administrators and/or negotiating states
  • Enhanced trust in negotiations by fostering cooperation
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Repository of African trade agreements

This is a database that is searchable, dynamic, and regularly updated. It includes all African countries and their respective governing bodies' legal instruments associated with:
✓ Trade agreements of the AU
✓ Trade-related instruments of the REC
✓ Instruments of the WTO
✓ Trade agreements with other countries

Curated intelligence bulletins

Every two weeks, members receive a collection of up-to-date news that is pertinent. The news is sorted by topic, agreed terms, and country. The regularity of the Bulletin and the curated article selection guarantee timely and pertinent information for you.

Briefing and information notes

For each agreement in the Trade Agreements Directory, there is a summary note that outlines the most recent updates, offering a comprehensive overview of each document at a glance.

1 hour-hotline call

A 1-hour discussion with Guillaume Gérout, Astove Conseil's Lead Consultant, to help you analyse the latest developments in African trade negotiations in the light of your issues and challenges. ​

COLLABORATION

THEY TRUSTED US

ABOUT US

Astove Conseil

Astove Conseil is an expert firm specializing in engineering and facilitation of trade agreement negotiations, with a focus on the AfCFTA.

 

We foster dialogue and collaboration among African Union member states by providing technical assistance, capacity building, and promoting cooperation.Our goal is to establish trust in the negotiations and enhance the success of the regional integration project led by the African Union.

 

To achieve this, Astove Conseil provides support to donors and negotiation administrators, ensuring constant tripartite dialogue for fruitful international cooperation.

We respect the development aspirations of all parties involved and focus on long-term results.

Agency engineering  trade agreement negotiations AfCFTA.
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19

COUNTRIES

INTERVENTIONS IN AFRICA

Astove Conseil is an expert firm specializing in engineering and facilitation of trade agreement negotiations, with a focus on the AfCFTA.

All the case studies
AfCFTA - Africa Agreement  ZleCLaf
Seychelles

Technical advisor to Seychelles' Chief Trade Negotiator

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Responsibilities:

✓ ESA-EU EPA negotiations

✓ COMESA non-tariff barrier negotiations

✓ COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite FTA negotiations

Mauritius

Technical advisor to Seychelles' Indian Ocean Commission's Permanent Liaison Officer

Client: Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Responsibilities:

✓ Seychelles-EU negotiations on Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs regarding mercury levels

✓ IOC grouping preparation of the COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite FTA negotiations

Kenya

COMESA NTB resolution

Client: Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Responsibilities: Resolution of a Seychelles-Kenya trade dispute under the COMESA FTA

Ethiopia

Hub & Spokes Program Expert

Client: International Organization of La Francophonie 

Beneficiary: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities:

✓ Observer of the AfCFTA negotiations on behalf of the United Nations and technical advisor to the AfCFTA Negotiation Support Unit

✓ AfCFTA advisor to the GAF (Groupe des ambassadeurs francophones)

Gabon

Technical advisor to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical advice and support on political advocacy to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Niger

Technical advisor to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical advice and support on political advocacy to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Senegal

Technical advisor to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical advice and support on political advocacy to the UN Special Envoy for the AfCFTA

Cameroun

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Cabo verde

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Chad

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Comoros

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Democratic Republic of Congo

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Congo

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Sao Tome & Principe

Technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA

Client: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Responsibilities: Technical support and coordination for the preparation of the national AfCFTA implementation strategy

Madagascar

Assistance in the decision-making process for Madagascar's membership in the AfCFTA

Client: Pôles de croissance et corridors

Beneficiary: Ministry of Trade

Responsibilities: Provision of technical and policy guidance to the Ministry of Trade regarding Madagascar's AfCFTA membership process

Pôles de croissance et corridors
La Réunion

Assessment of the ESA-EU EPA negotiations on La Reunion

Client: Préfecture de La Réunion

Responsibilities:

✓ Monitoring of the ESA-EU EPA negotiations

✓ Expert guidance regarding La Reunion's role in the ESA-EU EPA negotiations

✓ Drafting of La Reunion's position papers and draft textual proposal for submission to the EU negotiator 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE CASE STUDY

Provision of technical and policy guidance to the Ministry of Trade regarding Madagascar's AfCFTA membership process.
Ghana

Provide technical assistance for the negotiations on AfCFTA rules of origin

Client: Expertise France

Beneficiary: AfCFTA Secretariat

Responsibilities:

✓ Technical support to the AfCFTA Secretariat on Rules of origin negotiations

✓ Policy and programmatic support to Expertise France on AfCFTA negotiations capacity needs

CLICK HERE TO READ THE CASE STUDY

Tunisia

Technical assistance for the negotiation and implementation of the AfCFTA rules of origin

Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Beneficiary: Ministry of Trade

Responsibilities:

✓ Capacity building of the competent authority on Rules of origin

✓ Policy and technical support to negotiator prepare the AfCFTA negotiation

✓ Technical support to set up the institutional architecture for the implementation of the AfCFTA

South Africa

Technical assistance for the formulation of IOM's institutional position and comparative advantage on Migration and Trade to pilot a support program on the AfCFTA

Client: International Organization for Migration

Responsibilities:

✓ Analytical study on key policy areas of the AfCFTA Agreement and emerging issues relating to human mobility and trade

✓ Analysis of external partners to the AfCFTA and other regional trade frameworks

✓ Development of a methodology for engagement and partnership

TEAM

Our Trade Experts

Anais Cren-Larvor

Documentary research analyst

Guillaume Gérout

CEO & Lead Consultant

Expert in negotiation strategy for African economic integration agreements

86459017_328802998058522_4815139031555768320_n[496]

Laureen Marion-Trenchant

Qualitative analyst

Marilou Fiorentino

Quantitative analyst & project manager

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Cécile Léqué-Folchini
Cécile Léqué-FolchiniReprésentante permanente auprès de l'UA et de la CEA, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
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Mr Gérout a activement participé a des activités de l'OIF et de la CEA. Il a démontré une implication rigoureuse et professionnelle, sa maitrise des sujets relatifs à ses missions auprès de la CEA, mais a également prouvé sa connaissance approfondie des sujets d'intérêts pour les objectifs stratégiques nos 7 et 8 de la Stratégique Economique de la Francophonie. En ce sens son expérience auprès du secteur privé et du tissu institutionnel aux Seychelles et dans l'Océan Indien constitue un avantage avéré. pour la mise en oeuvre de programme d' autonomisation économique en Afrique centrale et australe, plus généralement en Afrique Sub-saharienne.
Ambassador Barry Faure
Ambassador Barry FaureSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles
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I have known Mr Guillaume Gérout as an Economist in the Division of Development and Regional Integation of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Gérout has worked mainly on trade negotiations with the European Union (EU), particularly on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries, including the Interim EPA between EU and Seychelles. His technical knowledge and mastery of the subject has enabled him to provide accurate information and robust advice to the Government.
Seliatou Kayode-Anglade
Seliatou Kayode-AngladeResponsable de programme, Expertise France
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Mr Gérout a été mis a disposition par Astove Conseil pour le projet "Assistance technique au département du Commerce et de l'Industrie (DIT) en soutien aux négociations des Règles d'origine de la ZLECAf. Mr Gérout a contribué significtivement à l'avancée des négociations de la libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), notamment grâce à la coordination et facilitation de réunions de consultation et de groupes de discussion informel, ainsi que son appui technique prodigué aux hauts fonctionnaires du Secrétariat de la ZLECAf.

Expertise France est entièrement satisfait de la prestation de Mr Gérout et le remercie pour son excellent travail.
Aissatou Diallo
Aissatou DialloSenior Coordinator, International Trade Centre
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The assignment was completed successfully by Mr. Gérout who coordinated inputs from his team, technical ITC staff and partner organizations in a professional manner.

The outputs delivered met the expectations of the terms of reference and I would recommend Mr. Gérout as a capable, diligent, and qualified African trade specialist.
Haingo Razafimbelo
Haingo RazafimbeloResponsable agribusiness, Pôles intégrés de croissance et corridors
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Astove Conseil a contribué significativement à la prise de conscience du contexte et des enjeux de la zone libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf) par les parties prenantes malgaches, notamment grâce à l'enquête de perception menée parmi elles, ainsi que grâce à son rapport analytique sur les intérêts de Madagascar, lui permettant d'avoir les outils pour prendre une décision éclairée concernant son adhésion à la ZLECAf et les démarches à mettre en place pour une mise en oeuvre fructueuse.

Le Projet PlC2 est entièrement satisfait de la prestation des services d'Astove Conseil ainsi que du partenariat opéré avec Partnership Labs, et remercie leurs membres pour leur excellent travail.
Tania Revault d’Allonnes
Tania Revault d’AllonnesChef de l’Unité « PSD & Trade », AETS Consultants
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M. Gérout a contribué significativement à la facilitation du dialogue technique et politique entre les experts de la Commission européenne et ceux des différentes institutions africaines invitées à participer à une série de webinaires sur les relations économiques entre l’UE et l’Afrique, parmi lesquelles la Commission de l’Union africaine, la Commission économique des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique, la Centre pour le droit commercial (TRALAC), etc.

Sa connaissance du tissu institutionnel économique africain et des institutions en charge des négociations de la zone libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf) et des accords de partenariat économique (APE) a été un atout particulier pour le succès de la mission .
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