Africa’s merchandise trade expanded by 6.1 percent to approximately $1.5 trillion in 2025, while intra-African trade rose by 5.5 percent to about $213.8 billion, signalling the continent’s growing economic resilience amid global geopolitical and trade uncertainties. The figures come from the 2026 African Trade Report released by the African Export-Import Bank, titled “Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa.”
The report noted that Africa’s economic performance strengthened during the period, with real GDP growth accelerating from 3.4 percent in 2024 to 4.5 percent in 2025, outpacing global growth and reaffirming the strength and adaptability of the continent. Aggregate inflation moderated sharply from 21.6 percent to 13.1 percent over the same period. Afreximbank attributed the increase in intra-African trade to robust growth in several countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, with South Africa remaining the largest contributor to intra-African trade overall, and Côte d’Ivoire maintaining a significant role in West African trade.
Experts say the growth is being supported by stronger industrial hubs in regions such as West, Southern, and East Africa, as well as rising confidence among businesses operating across borders. However, they warn that infrastructure gaps, non-tariff barriers, and uneven policy implementation continue to limit the full potential of intra-African trade.
The AfCFTA is expected to remain central to this momentum as countries work to harmonise rules and expand market access. Analysts say that if reforms continue and logistics improve, intra-African commerce could become a much bigger driver of growth, jobs, and industrialisation across the continent.
The 5.5 percent rise is genuine progress, a sign the AfCFTA and supporting infrastructure like PAPSS are starting to move the needle. But with intra-African trade still at roughly 16 percent of total commerce, the distance between current momentum and full economic integration remains considerable.
Africa Presents is a Pan-African digital magazine and monthly publication covering politics, business, economy, culture, tech, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora. Visit africapresents.com and follow @AfricaPresents for daily coverage and monthly themed magazine editions.
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