Intra-African trade projected to increase by 45 percent by 2045: UNECA

On Mar 17, 2025 203

Addis Ababa, March 17, 2025 (FMC) — Driven by AfCFTA—a powerful tool for inclusion and economic integration, intra-African trade is projected to increase by 45 percent by 2045, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA said.

Executive Secretary of ECA Claver Gatete said by 2045, intra-Africa trade is projected to increase by 45 percent and enhance Africa’s GDP by 1.2 percent.

The AfCFTA will also significantly boost expansions in sectors such as agri-food by 60 percent, industry by 48 percent, services by 34 percent, and energy and mining by 28 percent.

The Africa Free Trade Area is also a powerful tool for inclusion and economic integration – leaving no country behind, he affirmed.

“We know that historically, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) have been disadvantaged by high trade costs and limited access to global markets,” he said.

Today, through the AfCFTA, Africa’s 16 LLDCs have a unique opportunity to break free from these geographical disadvantages and boost their economic growth, Gatete added.

Accordingly, to achieve the AfCFTA’s full potential, he has proposed four strategic actions. They are strengthening partnerships and investment platforms; strengthening regional value chains and special economic zones; mobilizing domestic resources for industrialization and curb illicit financial flows and enhancing infrastructure and digital connectivity.

He underscored “we must recognize the AfCFTA as Africa’s response to a global economic system that has long kept us at the periphery. But its success demands bold action, strong political will and sustained commitment.”

Gatete also stressed the need to integrate AfCFTA priorities into national development plans, allocate budgets that reflect AfCFTA commitments, and harmonize policies that enable businesses to thrive.

ECA is ever ready to support member states with the data-driven insights, capacity- building and technical expertise needed to turn this vision into reality, he reiterated.