Not so fast says Carlos Lopes the former top AU trade advisor who sought to negotiate an African trade deal with the EU back in 2018 (AC Vol 59 No 21 Who speaks for Africa...

A prominent voice on trade economics and climate change Carlos Lopes is known for his competence and combative nature...

Carlos Lopes the former UN Economic Commission for Africa and African Union High Representative points out the Bretton Woods loans do not solve the underlying issue of high-interest payments which are driving the debt crisis...

Others such as Carlos Lopes the chair of the African Climate Foundation's Advisory Council (ACF) are more optimistic – provided that there is financial and technical support for African governments meeting the EU's carbon standards...

CONTINENTAL DRIFT Top trade advisor to the African Union Carlos Lopes says the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area in January has more symbolic than practical effects give that many of its key protocols still have to be negotiated...

While Carlos Lopes the AU's chief negotiator on the post-Cotonou treaty and the former executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa is the main driver of AU Commission policy most of the momentum comes from member states especially South Africa (AC Vol 59 No 21 Who speaks for Africa...

In the meantime AU policy is led by former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa Carlos Lopes who is now the High Representative of the AU Commission in its negotiations with the EU post-2020...