CITES, AfCFTA, and Livelihoods: Implications of the COP19 Appendices Proposals

Socio-economic factors may have a major influence on whether the aims of CITES trade measures will be realised. If the measures negatively impact on the livelihoods of people engaged in wild product value chains, these impacts might be mitigated by engaging in activities – e.g., illegal trade or habitat degradation – that undermine species and habitat conservation. Further, for African Parties to CITES, these trade measures may also be at odds
with AfCFTA, and livelihood impact assessments could identify pathways for policy coherence.