The Challenge
While countries are developing national strategies for AFCFTA implementation, the following gaps persist:
Countries are prioritizing sectors that do not align to their country-specific comparative advantages
Unrealistic identification of benchmark countries
Diversifying into sub-optimal sectors where countries do not have future potential
Our Solution : GIFt
GIFt provides a pragmatic and evidence-based framework to assist countries to design comparative advantage following national strategies for AFCFTA implementation. It bridges policy gaps by helping countries:
Identify and target sectors that align with latent comparative advantages
Identify benchmark nations with similar characteristics and proven growth paths
Diversify economies into industries with the highest untapped potential
How GIFt Works
GIFt is an automation of the Growth Identification and Facilitation Framework, tested empirically, that follows a clear step-by-step framework:
1
Identifying Benchmark Countries
GIFt evaluates and filters countries based on:
Income level (GDP) per capita 100-300% higher or similar income 20 years ago
Growth performance (20-year average growth above 6%)
Factor endowment (labour, capital, natural resources)
Manufacturing strength (stronger than the selected country's performance)
Minimum wage compatibility
2
Identifying Sectors with Latent Comparative Advantage
GIFt highlights sectors with high potential by assessing:
Global shifts: Sectors losing export share in benchmark countries (for the previous 20 years)
Domestic demand: Sectors with increasing local consumption
Geographic suitability: Industries feasible for landlocked nations
Production feasibility: Sectors accessible for SMEs with low capital needs
Complementary linkages: Industries with transferable skills and synergies
Why GIFt Matters
A Guide to Achieving Quick-wins for Structurally Transformative Growth
Practical
Goes beyond theory with data-driven, step-by-step guidance
Country Specific
Tailored to each nation's unique characteristics
Inclusive
Provides growth potential strategies for low to high income countries
Future Oriented
Alignment to development frameworks: SDG 2030 and AU Agenda 2063
Start Transforming Growth Strategies
GIFt is more than a tool — it's a roadmap to realistic, comparative-advantage-driven development
