Continental Trade Surges To $1.5trn As Intra-African Commerce Hits $213.8bn

Africa’s merchandise trade expanded by 6.1 per cent to approximately $1.5 trillion in 2025, while intra-African trade rose by 5.5 per cent to about $213.8 billion, signalling the continent’s growing economic resilience amid global geopolitical and trade uncertainties.

This is according to the 2026 African Trade Report released by the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim 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 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth accelerating from 3.4 per cent in 2024 to 4.5 per cent in 2025, surpassing global growth levels.

“Africa’s real GDP growth accelerated from 3.4 per cent in 2024 to 4.5 per cent in 2025, outpacing global growth and reaffirming the strength and adaptability of the continent.” It added that aggregate inflation moderated sharply from 21.6 per cent to 13.1 per cent, with some African countries recording inflation rates as low as three per cent.

The Afreximbank report attributed the growth in trade and economic activity to stronger macroeconomic management, institutional reforms and deepening regional integration across the continent. According to the report, “merchandise trade expanded by 6.1 per cent to approximately $1.5 trillion, and intra-African trade grew by 5.5 per cent to about $213.8 billion.”

It noted that the performance reflected “improving macroeconomic management, strengthening institutions, expanding regional cooperation, increasing cross-border investments, and the determination of African countries to sustain growth despite a complex global environment.”

The report, however, warned that the global trade environment remains increasingly uncertain due to geopolitical tensions, geoeconomic fragmentation and structural shifts that continue to disrupt supply chains and raise trade costs.

“The global trade environment was shaped by a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, geoeconomic fragmentation, and structural shifts, all of which contributed to a more uncertain and risk-laden trade landscape,” the report stated.

Despite these challenges, Afreximbank said Africa is well positioned to benefit from changing global supply chains and increasing demand for resilient production hubs. The bank noted that although the continent continues to grapple with trade finance constraints, infrastructure deficits and limited value addition in many sectors, these challenges also present significant opportunities for industrialisation and investment.

“Africa is increasingly well-positioned to emerge as a competitive destination for investment, manufacturing, digital innovation, and green industrialisation,” the report said.

Afrexim Bank stressed that Africa must move swiftly to convert global fragmentation into an opportunity for inclusive growth and value-added exports by accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), strengthening development finance institutions and expanding digital payment infrastructure.

“The central message of the report is clear: Africa must act urgently to convert global fragmentation into an engine for resilient, inclusive growth and value-added export,” it stated.

The report further emphasised the need to deepen digital payment systems through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), expand intra-African trade finance and improve transport and logistics infrastructure to unlock the full benefits of regional integration.