Trade is the voluntary exchange of goods and services between people or entities. At its core, trade allows countries, businesses, and individuals to specialize in what they do best and access what they need from others. This fosters economic growth, encourages innovation, and enhances resource efficiency.

African trade includes both intra-African trade (within African countries) and extra-African trade (between African countries and the rest of the world). While intra-African trade has historically been low compared to other regions, initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are rapidly changing the landscape.

• Agricultural Products: maize, cocoa, coffee, tea, tobacco
• Manufactured Goods: processed food, cement, textiles, consumer goods
• Minerals and Metals: gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt
• Energy Products: oil, gas, electricity (especially through regional power pools)

• To Global Markets: crude oil, minerals (gold, cobalt, platinum), agricultural exports (cocoa, tea, coffee)
  From Global Markets: machinery, electronics, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, refined fuel

• Africa’s trade ecosystem is made up of a wide range of actors, each playing a distinct and important role:

Governments and Government Agencies

• Formulate and enforce trade policies and regulations
• Negotiate trade agreements (e.g., AfCFTA, WTO, bilateral deals)
• Regulate standards, tariffs, and border procedures
• Promote trade through export councils and investment agencies

Businesses and Private Sector Entities

• Manufacture, produce, and export/import goods and services
• Drive innovation, job creation, and market development
• Participate in B2B partnerships and cross-border investments

Transport and Logistics Providers

• Facilitate the physical movement of goods across borders
• Manage warehousing, freight forwarding, and customs clearance
• Address supply chain challenges such as poor infrastructure and port congestion

Banks and Financial Institutions

• Offer trade finance, export credit, and letters of credit
• Support currency exchange and payment systems
• Finance trade infrastructure and development projects

Customs and Border Management Authorities

• Enforce trade regulations and collect tariffs/duties
• Manage cargo inspections, licensing, and clearance
• Prevent illicit trade and ensure safety and compliance

Regional Economic Communities (RECs)

• Promote regional integration and trade harmonization (for example, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East Africa Community (EAC), the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
• Implement free trade protocols and mobility frameworks

The African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat

• Coordinate continental trade strategies and legal frameworks
• Support the implementation of AfCFTA policies and capacity building
• Monitor and evaluate trade performance and impact

Development Organizations and Donors

• Provide funding, technical support, and capacity development
• Support trade-related infrastructure and institutional reforms
• These include African Development Fund, Afreximbank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, GIZ, EU,

Civil Society and Academia

• Promote transparency, inclusiveness, and informed policymaking
• Conduct research, capacity building, and policy advocacy

This complex and dynamic trade ecosystem relies on collaboration and coherence among all actors to unlock the full potential of African trade.

• AfCFTA Implementation
• Trade Barriers and Facilitation
• Regional Integration
• Supply Chain Infrastructure
• Trade and Investment Policies
• Business Partnerships and Collaborations: We monitor strategic business alliances, joint ventures, and cross-border B2B matchmaking opportunities that are shaping Africa’s emerging markets.
• Investment Opportunities in Africa: Sector-specific investment prospects including agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, fintech, infrastructure, and logistics.
• Trade Opportunities for Businesses: Highlighting open markets, high-demand commodities, and value chain gaps across the continent that businesses can leverage for growth.