Africa’s Merchandise Trade Reaches $1.5 Trillion in 2025 as Intra-African Trade and Economic Growth Accelerate
Africa’s merchandise trade expanded to approximately $1.5 trillion in 2025, representing a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to the African Trade Report 2026: Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa, published by Afreximbank.
The report also found that intra-African trade grew by 5.5% to $213.8 billion, reflecting steady progress toward regional economic integration despite an increasingly challenging global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and supply chain disruptions.
Africa’s overall economic performance also improved significantly in 2025. The continent’s economic growth accelerated from 3.4% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025, surpassing the global average.
Meanwhile, average inflation declined sharply from 21.6% to 13.1%, supported by tighter monetary policies, improved food security, and greater stability in several African currencies.
According to Afreximbank, these positive trends were driven by stronger macroeconomic management, institutional reforms, enhanced regional cooperation, and increased cross-border investment.
Despite ongoing global uncertainties, including international conflicts and persistent disruptions to global supply chains, Africa maintained a positive trade growth trajectory, underscoring the continent’s growing economic resilience.
However, the report notes that significant challenges continue to constrain Africa’s trade potential.
The continent’s trade finance gap remains estimated at $74 billion, while inadequate infrastructure, high logistics costs, and limited industrialization continue to reduce the competitiveness of African exporters.
Afreximbank argues that shifting global geopolitical dynamics present not only risks but also strategic opportunities for Africa.
The report says the continent can capitalize on these changes by strengthening regional value chains, accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expanding pan-African payment systems, and attracting greater industrial investment.
The report emphasizes that these measures could transform global trade disruptions into catalysts for industrialization, economic diversification, and value addition across the continent.
Looking ahead, Afreximbank says Africa’s long-term growth will depend less on external demand and more on its ability to produce, process, and trade goods within the continent.
The report concludes that accelerating industrialization, expanding regional value chains, and deepening intra-African trade will be critical to building a more resilient and competitive African economy capable of withstanding geopolitical shocks and evolving global trade dynamics.