African Continental Free Trade Area Shows First Year Surplus

In its first full calendar year since implementation, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has recorded a modest trade surplus among member countries. Intra-Africa trade grew significantly, especially in industrial goods, processed agricultural products, and regional services. This marks a turning point for the continent, demonstrating that regional trade integration can drive economic efficiency and export diversification.

The structural impact is beginning to show. Industrial corridors running from Nigeria to South Africa are seeing feedstock procurement, logistics aggregation, and cross-border assembly line projects gaining momentum. Regional airlines and shipping firms are seeing increased booking volumes tied to intra-continental commerce, while financial institutions are building cross-currency settlement systems to support smoother transactions.

While extra-continental trade remains nascent, the internal trade boost is attracting attention from multinational firms. Many are mapping Africa as a viable market and production destination rather than solely extracting for global export. For global investors, the AfCFTA's early success provides a signal that Africa may be entering a new phase of cohesion, built not on natural resources alone, but on regionally sourced value chains.