Modern Infrastructure Financing: Bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap through innovative and sustainable financing models
Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture in its development trajectory. As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, its growth potential is immense — yet persistently undermined by a severe infrastructure deficit. With infrastructure stock estimated at only 30% of GDP, well below global norms, the nation’s aspirations for prosperity and competitiveness hinge on a […]
Developing countries call for fairer global rules as crises deepen
At the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in Geneva, government ministers from the Group of 77 and China (G77) reaffirmed their commitment to collective action in addressing the world’s most pressing economic challenges — including rising debt, weak investment, and digital inequality. The conference, held under the theme “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for […]
AfCFTA: Africa loses $5bn annually in foreign exchange transactions
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has disclosed that Africa loses approximately $5 billion annually through foreign exchange (FX) transactions, a challenge that continues to increase the cost of doing business across the continent. This financial drain, according to the Secretariat, poses a serious barrier to Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness, limiting the […]
Martin’s Drift Border Post enhances Regional Trade efficiency
In a significant step toward deepening regional economic integration, the Martin’s Drift border post—linking Botswana and South Africa—was the focus of a comprehensive study The study, carried out from 21 to 23 October 2025 under the leadership of Senior Programme Officer Alcides Monteiro, assessed key operational factors including the implementation of the Coordinated Border […]
Africa’s next chapter will be built, not announced
Africa stands at a pivotal juncture where its long-term aspirations, framed in Agenda 2063 and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, must evolve from planning to tangible implementation. The focus has shifted from drafting strategies to executing finance-ready projects that generate jobs, stimulate industry, and enhance public services. At the heart of this transformation is the […]
Cross-Border E-Commerce: Unlocking Global Markets for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Cross-border e-commerce is creating new pathways for South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to compete globally. This was the key message from Mr. Kwanele Mkhwanazi, Director of Export Development and Support at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), during a panel discussion at the 7th Annual EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba, hosted by […]
Trade and Gender Group Discusses Implementation of 2025-2026 Work Plan
The Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender (IWG) met on 8 October to discuss its 2025–2026 Work Plan and review the implementation roadmap that will guide its gender equality initiatives leading up to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon, March 2026. The roadmap outlines concrete steps to integrate gender considerations into trade policies, enhance gender-disaggregated data […]
Ghana and Niger Target Transit Bottlenecks with New Trade Deal
Ghana and Niger have signed a new trade agreement to streamline their shared transit corridor, tackling long-standing delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and high trade costs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Accra, focuses on harmonizing customs procedures, enhancing cargo tracking, and reducing extortion and excessive checkpoints that have hindered cross-border trade. For Ghana, the deal […]
Ethiopia Begins Shipment of Goods Under AfCFTA Trade Deal
Ethiopia has achieved a significant economic milestone by officially commencing the shipment of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The inaugural consignment, consisting of meat, fruits, and various agricultural products, was exported to Somalia, Kenya, and South Africa via land and air routes. At a symbolic ceremony marking the launch, Trade and Regional […]
The WCO Supports Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and Stakeholders to Enhance Competencies in Rules of Origin
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service, conducted an Advanced Training Workshop on Rules of Origin (RoO) in Abuja from 16 to 18 September 2025. The initiative, held under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the European Union, aimed to […]
New WTO-World Bank reports hail progress in advancing Africa’s digital trade
The WTO Secretariat and the World Bank have successfully completed the pilot phase of their joint initiative, “Digital Trade for Africa,” culminating in the publication of digital trade assessments for six African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. During an information session on 25 September, both organizations briefed WTO members on the project’s […]
OECD Seeks ‘Aid for Trade 2.0’ to Tackle Climate and Digital Inequities
The OECD’s new working paper, Aid for Trade at a Crossroads, warns that the initiative risks irrelevance unless it evolves to address climate change, digitalization, and inequality. Originally designed to strengthen trade capacity in developing countries, aid for trade has financed infrastructure, modernised customs, and supported entry into global value chains. However, the current landscape is more […]
Africa’s Digital Trade push gains momentum as Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker speaks at WTO-IPU Forum
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has urged global parliamentarians to take bold legislative measures that will position digital trade as a shared engine of growth. Speaking at the WTO-IPU Steering Committee session during the WTO Public Forum 2025 in Geneva, Kalu framed digital trade as one of the greatest governance challenges […]
Nigeria’s National Single Window Project
Nigeria is advancing a major trade reform through the National Single Window (NSW) project, scheduled for full launch in Q1 2026. Announced by Finance and Economy Minister Wale Edun, the initiative seeks to unify customs, port, and regulatory processes under one digital platform, transforming the country’s trade environment. Originally introduced in April 2024, […]
Afreximbank launches new entity to promote large-scale trade in value-added goods
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially launched the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) to drive large-scale trade in raw materials, minerals, and value-added products across the continent. The entity, established through Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) in collaboration with Arise IIP, Equitane DMCC, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, was unveiled during the […]
Carbon Taxes in Africa: Promoting Sustainable Development.
Ghana’s recent implementation of a carbon levy on vehicles reflects a broader trend in Africa, where several countries have adopted similar measures. This raises questions about the effectiveness of product-related taxes like these in developing robust carbon pricing systems, particularly in the face of global pressure to combat climate change. Potential Benefit for Economics in […]