By Danilo Desiderio The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was hailed as a transformative milestone in Africa’s economic integration when it was signed in 2018....
By Danilo Desiderio The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has once again found itself in the crosshairs of global credit rating agencies, with Moody’s latest downgrade raising...
By Farhia Noor As an African deeply invested in our continent’s future, I recently read the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) 2025 report: “The State of Africa’s...
By Des H Rikhotso Africa is rapidly becoming a hotspot for global business expansion, home to 10 of the world’s fastest-growing economies. According to 2025–2026 projections,...
Africa has taken a landmark step toward financial sovereignty with the launch of PAPSSCARD, the continent’s first homegrown pan-African card scheme. Unveiled on June 27 at...
By Danilo Desiderio The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has released its highly anticipated 2025 African Trade Report, titled “African Trade in a Changing Global Financial Architecture.”...
By Des H Rikhotso Africa’s 16 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) have long grappled with a paradox – rich in natural resources and youthful energy, yet economically...
By Michael Sudarkasa Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the Cross Border Trade Strategic Conversations Summit, hosted at the Regenesys Education Campus in Sandton,...
By Dishant Shah Expanding into Africa may feel like navigating uncharted territory – but that’s precisely what makes it one of the most exciting and dynamic...
By Emmanuel Musaazi From the fifteenth century onwards, Africa’s path has been shaped by external powers who saw the continent less as a partner and more...
By Godfred Zina In a bold step toward Pan-African unity, Ghana has emerged as a regional leader in championing the vision of a borderless Africa. In...
By Danilo Desiderio A seismic shift has rocked the African financial landscape. On June 4, global ratings agency Fitch delivered a sharp blow to the continent’s...
By Dishant Shah It is a simple question – but one that cuts to the heart of Africa’s economic future. Right now, most African countries trade...
By Danilo Desiderio Despite a significant increase in food production over the past two decades, hunger and food insecurity across Africa have paradoxically risen. A recent...
By Dishant Shah Expanding into Africa may feel like navigating uncharted territory – but for businesses willing to invest time and insight, it represents one of...
By Danilo Desiderio Alarming levels of banned pesticide residues – some linked to developmental and reproductive harm – have been found in potatoes grown in Nyandarua...
By Danilo Desiderio The Group of Twenty (G20) stands as one of the world’s most influential multilateral forums, comprising 19 leading economies – Argentina, Australia, Brazil,...
By Danilo Desiderio In an increasingly competitive global economy, African nations face mounting pressure to protect their domestic industries from unfair trade practices such as dumping,...
By Dishant Shah For decades, trade within Africa has been brimming with potential. Yet turning that promise into reality has often hit roadblocks: inconsistent customs regulations,...
By Danilo Desiderio The adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s economic evolution. By...
By Yannick Lefang In the 21st-century information age, controlling the narrative is as valuable as controlling natural resources. As African nations strive for economic sovereignty and...
By Danilo Desiderio A groundbreaking study from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, titled “Diversifying European Supply Chains: Can Africa Play a Role?“, argues that...
By Danilo Desiderio A recent trade dispute between Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa has thrust the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into the spotlight, underscoring...
By Dishant Shah Africa stands out as the continent with the highest number of regional trade blocs – more than any other part of the world....
By Dishant Shah It’s a straightforward question, but it invites profound reflection. Currently, most African countries trade more with nations outside the continent than with their...
By Danilo Desiderio Could the concept of a national “Made in” brand evolve into a unified, continent-wide “Made in Africa” initiative? This question is gaining traction...
By Mary Alorh Regional integration is not just a goal – it is a necessity for both individual subregions and the broader African continent. By fostering...
By Jean Claude Niyomugabo For decades, Africa’s agricultural narrative has been dominated by one central theme: primary production. We celebrate bountiful harvests and marvel at vast...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu The introduction of new tariffs has reignited discussions about free trade across Africa, particularly in West Africa – a region grappling with...
By Yannick Lefang US president Donald Trump’s return to power has reignited global debates about leadership, foreign policy, and the future of international relations. But in...
By Dishant Shah Africa is emerging as the next big investment hotspot, and the numbers are starting to tell an undeniable story. In 2024 alone, foreign...
By Danilo Desiderio A groundbreaking Afrobarometer survey spanning 34 African countries sheds light on a fascinating paradox: the appetite for trade liberalization is stronger in autocratic...
By Dishant Shah When we think of low-cost manufacturing hubs, Asia often dominates the conversation. But what if the next big player wasn’t in Asia at...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson In a bold move underscoring its commitment to strengthening economic ties, China granted 33 African countries zero tariffs on all their exports to...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu In a significant step toward continental integration, Ghana and Morocco have agreed to initiate a broad visa waiver for all categories of...
By Dishant Shah Africa is on the rise, but its journey toward sustained economic growth and prosperity is shaped by three formidable challenges – Connectivity, Corruption,...
By Dishant Shah Central Africa may not always grab the spotlight when discussions turn to Africa’s economic growth, with West and East Africa often taking center...
By Zekarias Woldemariam For Ethiopians, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) represents far more than a hydropower project. It embodies a nation’s resolve to harness its...
By Danilo Desiderio Despite significant strides in infrastructure development, energy efficiency, and resource utilization, Africa’s industrialization remains insufficient to meet the continent’s growing needs, according to...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson Today, March 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s trade history as we commemorate the 7th anniversary of the African Continental Free...
By Danilo Desiderio A compelling article published by Semafor Africa sheds light on a significant challenge: the low brand awareness of African products among Africans and...
By Gregory Simpkins The destruction of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is just about complete. Even Prosper Africa, administered by the agency and created...
By Danilo Desiderio Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have surged into the spotlight, sparking vital discussions about their potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape. Their role as...
By Danilo Desiderio A recent publication from AfCFTA Dialogues, a platform dedicated to raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of the African Continental Free Trade...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the flagship initiative of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a strategic blueprint for fostering inclusive...
By Dishant Shah Africa stands on the brink of an industrial revolution – one that could redefine its economic future. The right manufacturing industries have the...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson Namibia is poised to make history as it prepares to launch its first export consignment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)....
By Dishant Shah Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa are often discussed as two distinct regions, but what drives this separation? While geography plays a significant role,...
By Emmanuel Musaazi Trump is back with a bang. But the crucial question remains: Were any lessons learned from Trump 1.0? Is Africa prepared to engage...
By Danilo Desiderio A recent article published by Semafor raises concerns about the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade agreement that...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson In a significant step toward advancing regional trade and economic integration, Namibia and Botswana have reiterated their commitment to the Trans-Kalahari Rail Corridor...
By Dishant Shah Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its industrial journey. As the world shifts towards sustainability, the continent has a unique opportunity to...
Ghana has taken a bold step toward pan-African unity by implementing a visa-free policy for all African passport holders, effective January 1, 2025. This landmark decision...
By Dishant Shah In 1975, a bold vision brought together a group of West African nations – what if borders no longer hindered trade, travel, and...
By Mary Alorh The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a landmark initiative poised to transform Africa’s economic landscape. Here’s what you need to know...
By John Kourkoutas Being landlocked presents both challenges and opportunities. This compelling map from Voronoi App illustrates the 45 landlocked countries globally, including 16 in Africa,...
Kenyan President William Ruto’s push to reduce reliance on the US dollar in African trade has gained traction with the launch of the Pan-African Payments Settlement...
By Danilo Desiderio On February 7, 2025, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially presented a Time Release Study (TRS) analyzing the primary trade barriers along...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu For centuries, economists and social theorists have debated the impact of rapid population growth. In the 19th century, many feared that unchecked...
The central banks of Rwanda and Ghana have partnered to integrate their national payment systems and establish a fintech licensing passport between the two nations, as...
By John Kourkoutas The visual above showcases the intricate web of global connectivity – roads, railroads, airports, seaports, and cities – that serves as the backbone...
By Chike Ayodele Igwegbe The recent tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Rwanda, and South Africa serve as a stark reminder of Africa’s...
By Danilo Desiderio Preparations are underway for the 2025 edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), which will take place in Accra, Ghana, from Thursday, January...
By Ajay Wasserman Recent policy shifts under Donald Trump’s administration have unveiled a hard truth: Africa remains vulnerable to external political changes. From the reinstatement of...
By Danilo Desiderio As the new year begins, it is customary to examine growth estimates for various regions around the world in the months ahead. This...
By Andrew Rugasira The Economist‘s recent article, “Africa Needs a Capitalist Revolution”, reflects their trend of oversimplified and paternalistic commentary on Africa. In May 2000, the...
By Danilo Desiderio The Abuja Treaty (1991) for the establishment of the African Economic Community recognized cooperation among African customs administrations as a cornerstone for the...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu Founded in the mid-1970s, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed to advance regional integration, prioritizing economic collaboration over political...
By Mary Alorh Africa’s collective efforts are pivotal in achieving transformative policies like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to streamline the free...
By Danilo Desiderio An article published on Bilaterals, a platform known for its critical stance on free trade agreements, particularly those involving nations with varying levels...
By Danilo Desiderio The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has officially launched an electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) to streamline trade processes and...
By Danilo Desiderio All members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including countries and customs territories, undergo periodic reviews of their trade policies. The frequency of...
By Gregory Simpkins When we read articles about the economic health of countries, we often encounter one recurring item: Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It supposedly describes...
By Mary Alorh The African continent is solidifying its status as a leading destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which plays a pivotal role in driving...
Kenyan Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have commenced their inaugural export shipments of various products to the the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), South...
Bloomberg | A payment system that eliminates the dollar in cross-border African transactions can save the continent as much as US$5 billion in processing costs, the...
By Danilo Desiderio The Greek philosopher Socrates once stated, “there is no favorable wind for the sailor who doesn’t know where to go.” Yet, this notion...
By Danilo Desiderio A paper from the Morocco-based Policy Centre for the New South explores which development model Africa should adopt to enhance its economic growth...
By Danilo Desiderio The competition among African nations to emerge as the next Silicon Valley is growing more intense. In East Africa, countries like Kenya and...
By Danilo Desiderio A recent report by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Institute analyzed the early trade experiences under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing the importance...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu The Lake Chad Basin, located in the upper central region of Africa, serves as a critical transition zone with significant implications for...
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is set to begin importing milk and coffee from Uganda, marking a significant step forward for intra-African trade. This development follows...
By Danilo Desiderio Today, approximately 90 percent of global cargo is transported by sea. Over the past 70 years, maritime trade has seen continuous growth, especially...
By Danilo Desiderio One of the major obstacles to the movement of agricultural and food products among African countries is the variation in Sanitary and Phytosanitary...
By Fidel Amakye Owusu After the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s, the creation of the G20 or Group of 20 emerged as a response to...
By Emmanuel Musaazi Before China’s economic involvement in Africa, the continent’s development trends were influenced by various factors but primarily colonial legacies where African economies were...
Liberia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to accelerate to 5.4 percent in 2024, up from an estimated 3.7 percent in 2023. According to data...
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the construction of a new oil refinery with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day, aiming to establish Ghana as...
By Danilo Desiderio A Chinese proverb states, “To get rich, build roads first.” While China has embraced this philosophy, Africa has chosen a different path, focusing...
By Mary Alorh Across Africa, a rising tide of opposition is challenging the entrenched political elite, largely driven by young people and women. Historically, these groups...
By Danilo Desiderio The establishment of a unified African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is facing greater challenges and delays than initially...
By Mary Alorh Africa and Europe share a complex history that is currently undergoing significant evolution. African nations are increasingly uniting to assert a collective agenda...
By Mark-Anthony Johnson The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a central initiative within the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which is a strategic framework aimed...
Digital trade is currently gaining significant traction in Africa. A recent analysis by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) explored the impact of the Protocol on Digital...
On Wednesday, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, met with President Joseph Boakai of Liberia. During his visit, the Secretary-General...
By Mary Alorh As Joe Biden concludes his tenure as the 46th President of the United States, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on his administration’s...
The vision of Africa’s founding fathers to unite the continent in shared prosperity is coming to fruition as Nigeria prepares to launch Preferential Trade under the...
Bloomberg | Thelo Group’s management plans to buy Deutsche Bahn AG’s 49 percent shareholding and is in talks with financiers to raise US$250 million to help...
By Adam Amoussou Africa has the potential to become the world’s powerhouse in the coming years. The continent is undergoing unprecedented changes, with the implementation of...
The East African Community (EAC) is witnessing a notable transformation in its trading patterns, marked by a growing emphasis on intra-African trade and a corresponding decline...
By Chido Munyati This week, Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, and over 35 ministers from across Africa participated in...
By Gregory Simpkins After a few years of discussion about what renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) would look like, Senators Chris Coons...
By Rosemary Mnongya The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents considerable opportunities for the evolution and monetization of Africa’s trading sectors. Upon full implementation and...
Press Release | The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have today signed the Agreement for The Bahamas to host...
By Gregory Simpkins In a May 2000 issue with a lead article headlined “Africa: The Hopeless Continent”, The Economist magazine unleashed a flood of discussions about...
By Paul Nantulya India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, termed Africa as India’s “sister continent,” in recognition of the long ties of affinity. Since the 1960s,...
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) represents a significant milestone in the journey towards harnessing Africa’s economic potential. By creating a single continental market, AfCFTA...
By Ryan Elcock With today’s global economy and geopolitical landscape, marked by shifting power dynamics, there is a need for economic certainty and resilience. Although the...
Press Release | The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a US$150 million Trade Finance Unfunded Risk Participation Agreement facility between...
Press Release | The Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is proud to announce the entry of Banque Centrale de Tunisie (BCT) into its network...
Bloomberg | More than half of African nations will use the rules of a continental free-trade pact this year as the region moves closer to fully...
Xinhua | Ghana is about to implement a policy to grant visa-free entry to all Africans visiting the country by the end of 2024, President Nana...
By Lauren Johnston In a year when headlines have been dominated by conflict in Europe and the Middle East, and geo-economic tensions between China and the...
By Gregory Simpkins Since its signing into law in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been the main trade program for the United...
By Alan Hirsch President William Ruto of Kenya recently announced that Kenya’s borders would be open to visitors from the entirety of Africa, with no visas...
PR Newswire | Standard Chartered has today published its Future of Trade: Africa report, highlighting the outlook for African trade and providing a view of the...
By Paul Frimpong Over the last decades, China has been at the forefront of championing multiple global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global...
By Chinedu Okafor China’s senior African diplomat stated earlier this week, during a briefing on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in South Africa that African...
By Caroline Kimeu When Ugandans Maureen Agena and Edward Echwalu arrived at the Lesotho border during their five-month road trip across east and southern Africa, the...
By Håvar Bauck The Exchange Africa | The Trans-African Highway network, a bold blueprint conceived to foster economic integration on the African continent, has been a...
By Gregory Simpkins There has been a lot said and written about industrialization in Africa, including assigning blame as to why the continent lagged behind other...
By Chinedu Okafor African trade experts have highlighted a number of obstacles preventing the intra-African market from maximizing its potential, including cumbersome border inspections, harassment, solicitation...
Bloomberg | Kenya’s president urged African countries to process payments through a platform developed to handle local currencies across the continent, as emerging nations struggle to...
Business Daily | Kenyan President William Ruto has announced plans to remove visa requirements for African nationals travelling to Kenya for business as a first major...
By Anisa Muridi Africa is now projected to become the fastest-growing region globally, outpacing Asia, according to a new report by Mo Ibrahim Foundation. It is...
African Business | The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) have signed a framework agreement with the Democratic Republic...
Bird Story Agency | Tanzania and Burundi have floated a tender for designing and constructing an electrified railway that will initially connect the two countries and...
Press Release | African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that its Board of Directors has approved the opening of the Bank’s Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Office to...
Landry Signé and Chido Munyati African logistics have struggled to cater to the continent’s growing population and dynamic private sector for far too long. New research...
By Chinedu Okafor According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), by 2025, e-commerce in Africa is expected to increase by According to the...
By Gregory Simpkins Two decades ago, The Economist magazine labeled Africa as hopeless. “At the start of the 19th century, Freetown (Sierra Leone) was remote and...
By Ulf Engel The African Union (AU) – made up of 55 member countries – has made significant progress with integrating the countries of the continent...
In the inaugural release of a report dubbed ‘Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook’ released on January 19, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group reported that “growth...
By Gregory Simpkins In a speech during the December 2022 US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, US President Joe Biden promised to support African development through the African Union’s...
By Gregory Simpkins The Biden Administration pledged to listen at the recent US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, but said it also would demonstrate its interest in a robust...
The US-Africa Business Bridge is an emerging organization of successful African businesswomen looking for American partners to engage in mutual buying and selling of goods and...
AP |The presidents of South Africa and Kenya said Wednesday they have resolved a long-standing visa dispute and Kenyans will be able to visit South Africa...
By Gregory Simpkins It has become fashionable in the developed world community to criticize Africa for the lack of unity among its component members, as evidenced...
The East African | Kenya exported its first goods under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement to Ghana late last month. Kenyan-made Exide batteries...
By Gregory Simpkins I attended the first Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) in New York recently. It was well produced and well attended, and I got...
By Laurence Sithole | The Exchange Sub-Saharan Africa and its northern counterpart hold great economic promise. Africa’s investment case remains a compelling proposition. The continent is...
By Gregory Simpkins Between 1870 and 1900, the so-called “scramble for Africa” resulted in almost all the continent coming under European colonial control. The United Kingdom...
Brookings | The narrative around a successful African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—its potential to increase intra-African trade by 15 to 25 percent, or $50 billion to $70 billion—is...
By Gregory Simpkins On May 30, 2019, the framework agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) entered into force, But this continental body still...
By Hippolyte Fofack More than 20,000 Africans were killed in violent conflicts in 2020, an almost tenfold increase from a decade ago. Concurrently, and perhaps not...
Africa is emerging as the next big retail hotspot
The final decision will now be made by the East African Community Heads of State Summit at a later date.
"Chinese investments in Africa are “going on very well. The next thing I would ask from them is to allow our products to enter their market...
With less than a year to go to the end of his term, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta is worrying about the legacy he will leave behind...
Global intellectual property rights system constraining Africa's industrialization - Wamkele Mene
The opportunities to partner with Africa and a market of an estimated 1.4 billion people are immense. As we seek to advance an agenda for a...
Africa is increasingly and gradually becoming more competitive investment destination for decades to come because of its improving relative risk profiles, demography, and continental integration.
Those of us interested in advancing sustainable development in Africa need to find ways to broaden and deepen engagement and conversation around critical issues and create...
Piloting of payment system in 6 West African countries is going on very well and by the end of the year, it would be fully rolled...
Trade agreement has the potential to create the world’s largest free trade area since the creation of the World Trade Organization
The pandemic continues to exact a large toll on sub-Saharan Africa
African Economic Outlook: Real GDP projected to grow 3.4% in 2021
