Africa’s Internal Trade Rises to $213.8bn, New Report Shows

Intra-African trade grew to $213.8 billion in 2025, showing stronger business activity between African countries.

According to the latest African Trade Report by the African Export-Import Bank, trade within the continent rose by 5.47% from $202.7 billion in 2024. This means African countries traded about $11.1 billion more with one another within one year.

Afreximbank linked the growth to stronger economic activity in countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The figures point to a continent that is slowly building deeper trade links, even as major barriers remain.

South Africa Remains the Biggest Player

South Africa remained the largest contributor to intra-African trade in 2025.

The country accounted for 19.2% of total trade within Africa. This was lower than the 20.8% recorded in 2024, but it still kept South Africa far ahead of many other economies on the continent.

Afreximbank said South Africa imported goods worth $10.04 billion from other African countries during the year. Its exports to African markets stood at $31.1 billion, the same level recorded in the previous year.

South Africa’s trade pattern also shows its industrial strength. It bought mineral products, precious metals, textiles, food items, crude oil, coal, petroleum products and electricity from other African economies.

It sold more diversified products to the continent. These included fuel products, machinery, electrical equipment and vehicles.

This matters because South Africa does not only trade raw materials. It also exports manufactured and semi-processed goods to other African markets. That gives it a stronger position in regional value chains.

Côte d’Ivoire Holds Key Position in West Africa

Côte d’Ivoire also remained an important force in African trade.

Afreximbank said the country accounted for 4.83% of intra-African trade in 2025. Its role continues to grow due to its strong ties to the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

The country exports cocoa, cashew nuts, rubber and palm oil. These commodities still form the base of its trade strength.

But Côte d’Ivoire is also trying to move beyond raw exports. It is investing more in domestic processing, especially in cocoa and cashew. This shift could help the country earn more from its agricultural products.

Its major regional trade partners include Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria. South Africa and Morocco also serve as important gateways for trade into Southern and North Africa.

Why the Growth Matters

The 5.47% growth may look modest, but it sends an important message.

African countries are doing more business with one another. This is important because the continent has long depended heavily on trade with Europe, Asia and North America.

More intra-African trade can help countries reduce exposure to global shocks. It can also create new markets for African manufacturers, farmers, miners and service providers.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is central to this ambition. If fully implemented, it could make it easier for goods, services and investment to move across African borders.

But the latest figures also show that a few major economies still dominate the trade picture. South Africa remains far ahead. Côte d’Ivoire plays a strong regional role. Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya also matter in different trade corridors.

For intra-African trade to grow faster, more countries need to produce goods that other African markets want to buy.

Nigeria’s Position in the Trade Story

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most important economies, but its trade with the continent still depends heavily on energy exports.

Crude oil remained Nigeria’s main export to African markets during the period. However, refined petroleum products are now gaining more attention after the operational launch of the Dangote Refinery.

This could change Nigeria’s trade position if the country exports more refined fuel to neighbouring markets.

Nigeria has the population, market size and industrial potential to become a bigger driver of intra-African trade. But it must fix key problems. These include weak logistics, poor port efficiency, power shortages, currency pressure and high production costs.

Without stronger manufacturing and better transport links, Nigeria may continue to sell mainly raw or energy-based products to the continent.

Trade Finance Gap Remains a Major Problem

Afreximbank has also warned that Africa faces a yearly trade finance gap of about $100 billion.

This is one of the biggest barriers to unlocking the full value of the AfCFTA.

Many African businesses struggle to access affordable credit. Small and medium-sized companies face the biggest challenge. Even when they have buyers in other African countries, they often lack the financing needed to produce, ship and insure their goods.

Banks also treat cross-border trade as risky. This makes transactions slower and more expensive.

If Africa wants intra-African trade to double within the next decade, finance must improve. Businesses need easier access to working capital, payment systems, export insurance and trade guarantees.

Expert View

From a trade policy perspective, the latest numbers show progress, but not transformation yet.

Africa is trading more with itself, but the structure of trade still needs work. Too many countries still export raw materials and import finished goods. This limits job creation and keeps much of the value outside the continent.

The biggest opportunity lies in value addition. Countries such as Côte d’Ivoire are already moving in that direction through cocoa and cashew processing. Nigeria could do the same with refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, food processing and light manufacturing.

South Africa’s position also offers a lesson. Its exports to African markets are more diversified because it has stronger industrial capacity. Other countries need to build similar capacity if they want a larger share of regional trade.

The next phase of intra-African trade will depend on three things: financing, infrastructure and industrial production. Without them, AfCFTA will remain a powerful idea with limited results.

What This Means for African Economies

The rise in intra-African trade shows that regional integration is gaining ground.

But the continent still needs to move faster. Trade growth must go beyond numbers. It must create factories, jobs, stronger supply chains and better export earnings.

African countries must also remove border delays, improve customs systems and support exporters. They need to make it easier for businesses to move goods across the continent.

The $213.8 billion figure is a positive sign. But it is not the finish line. It is a reminder that Africa has a large internal market, but it still has work to do before it can fully use it.

FAQs

What is intra-African trade?

Intra-African trade means trade between African countries. It covers goods and services that African nations buy from and sell to one another.

How much did intra-African trade reach in 2025?

Afreximbank said intra-African trade rose to $213.8 billion in 2025. This was up from $202.7 billion in 2024.

What was the growth rate?

Intra-African trade grew by 5.47% in 2025.

Which country contributed the most?

South Africa remained the largest contributor. It accounted for 19.2% of intra-African trade in 2025.

Why is Côte d’Ivoire important?

Côte d’Ivoire plays a major role in West African trade. It exports cocoa, cashew nuts, rubber and palm oil. It is also increasing domestic processing in cocoa and cashew.

Why does this matter for AfCFTA?

The growth shows that African countries are trading more with one another. This supports the goal of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to deepen trade across the continent.

What is the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is the trade finance gap. Afreximbank has estimated that Africa faces a yearly trade finance gap of about $100 billion.