Africa Modernises Customs and Boosts Intra-Regional Trade Despite Ongoing Barriers
Africa’s customs and cross-border trade landscape is undergoing significant transformation, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Africa Customs and Cross-Border Trade Guide 2025.
Driven by modernisation, regional integration, and strategic incentives, ten key African economies—Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Egypt, and Nigeria—are reshaping trade to boost competitiveness and intra-African commerce.
The report highlights growing momentum in streamlining customs processes, reducing clearance times, and enhancing transparency. These reforms are laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable economic growth.
At the heart of this shift is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which all ten countries have ratified.
While implementation varies, recent milestones include Namibia’s first AfCFTA export in March 2025 (diamonds and uranium) and Nigeria’s July 2024 shipment of goods such as smart cards and shea butter to Egypt and Kenya under the Guided Trade Initiative.
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are also central to progress. The East African Community (EAC) facilitates duty-free trade and a Common External Tariff across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Ghana and Nigeria benefit from ECOWAS trade mechanisms, while South Africa and Namibia enjoy revenue-sharing under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Zambia applies preferential tariffs through SADC and COMESA membership.
Targeted incentives are also in place. Egypt exempts EVs and agricultural goods from duties; Nigeria’s Manufacture Under Bond (MUB) scheme supports export-driven production; and Uganda and Tanzania offer tax relief for priority sectors like mining and horticulture.
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes are expanding too. In Tanzania, 36 AEOs benefit from faster clearances, while South Africa offers reduced security payments and expedited refunds to certified traders.
Despite these advances, non-tariff barriers like complex rules of origin and trade imbalances—especially in the EAC—continue to hinder full integration.
PwC concludes that modern trade frameworks, regional alignment, and AfCFTA adoption are accelerating progress, but overcoming lingering trade barriers remains key to unlocking Africa’s full economic potential.
