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Key Insights
Dependence on Imports: Regions like West Africa ($183 billion in imports vs $152 billion in exports) are highly dependent on imports, driven by growing demand for consumer goods and infrastructure.
Trade Imbalance: Most regions import more than they export, relying on imported manufactured goods while exporting primarily raw materials.
Trade Rebalancing: Central and Southern Africa show more balanced trade, with Central Africa posting a surplus ($121 billion in exports vs $89 billion in imports), supported by natural resources.
Economic Growth: Rising trade flows, like North Africa's $253 billion in imports, reflect economic growth fueled by imports for infrastructure development.
The evolution of trade flows in Africa over recent years reveals critical trends reshaping the continent’s economic landscape. Between 2018 and 2022, intra-African and global trade saw a significant rise, boosting the growth of regional economies. The growing imports and exports reflect the emergence of new dynamics in regions like North and Southern Africa, which exhibit balanced trade levels. Other regions, such as East Africa, remain heavily reliant on imports, highlighting structural challenges that need to be addressed for sustainable trade development.
These increasing trade flows play a key role in Africa’s economic transformation, creating investment opportunities and driving economic diversification. Growing regional trade, under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), has the potential to strengthen local value chains and enhance economic resilience, while also mitigating regional disparities. This surge in trade underscores that commerce can serve as a lever for inclusive growth, yet it also highlights the need to close infrastructure gaps and improve export competitiveness.
The data
The data presented in this visual is sourced from the UNCTADstat database, a well-respected source for international trade statistics. It reflects Africa’s import and export flows for the years 2018 and 2022, expressed in millions of US dollars at current prices.
However, certain limitations should be noted. Firstly, the data is based on current prices, meaning it does not account for inflation’s impact on trade values. Secondly, the visual does not differentiate between the types of goods traded, making it difficult to analyze specific sectors. Lastly, although the data covers two distinct time periods, it does not provide a broader long-term view of trends, which could limit a more comprehensive interpretation of Africa's trade development.
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