The overall objective of this assignment is an assessment of the progress towards the SADC Customs Union, and more specifically to undertake a comprehensive assessment/evaluation of the progress made towards the SADC Customs Union since 2015, following the completion of tariff phase downs under the SADC FTA by most of the Member States implementing the Protocol on
Trade.

The assessment covers the following thematic areas:
1. Evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the following activities under the Action Plan on the Consolidation of the SADC FTA (Facilitating Accession of Member States that are not yet Participating in the SADC FTA; Tariff Phase Downs; Rules of Origin Review; Customs; Trade Facilitation Instruments; standards, SPS/TBT; trade statistics, investment promotion, trade in services, Aid for Trade, competition)
2. Addressing Overlapping Membership
3. Evaluating Progress Made towards the Customs Union