This Trade Update focuses on Algeria, Egypt and Mauritania’s (AEM) export performance and export similarity or competition within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which came into force in January 2018 but is currently not yet operational. The motivation behind this analysis is based on the premise that the apparent objective behind the trade strategies being adopted by African countries is to achieve several goals such as creating a competitive environment and achieving sustainable economic growth and development, with emphasis being placed on boosting intra-regional trade. Increasing intra-regional trade remains one of the main goals and this will entail competition amongst member states for markets within the AfCFTA and from third-party countries vying for this lucrative market.