Top 10 African countries leading in intra-African trade (by Value)
Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries leading in intra-African trade (by Value).
The list is courtesy of Afreximbank.
South Africa maintained its lead as Africa's top intra-African trading nation, with $42.1 billion in trade.
After a tough 2023, trade between African countries is finally picking up again. In 2024, intra-African trade grew by 12.4%, reaching $220.3 billion.
It represents a strong comeback from the 5.9% drop recorded the year before, and a hopeful sign that Africa's push toward regional integration is gaining ground, even in uncertain global times.
At the heart of this rebound are countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco, whose improved economic performance helped drive up trade across the continent.
South Africa, in particular, maintained its lead as Africa's top intra-African trading nation, with $42.1 billion in trade, nearly one-fifth of all intra-African trade in 2024, according to Afreximbank report.
Though this was slightly down from the previous year, it still reflects the country's vital role, especially within regional blocs like the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC.
West Africa also made strong gains, thanks to standout performances from Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Mali. Côte d'Ivoire alone accounted for 4.8% of all intra-African trade, powered by growing exports of refined oil and manufactured goods.
Meanwhile, East Africa remained the third-largest contributor to intra-African trade, while North and Central Africa played smaller but meaningful roles.
Despite some regional disparities, the overall picture is encouraging. Africa is trading more with itself, an important goal under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Below are the top 10 African countries leading in intra-African trade (by Value):
Rank Country Export Import Total
1 South Africa $31.12 billion $11.02 billion $42.14 bilion
2 Nigeria $15.72 billion $2.71 billion $18.43 billion
3 Congo, Dem. Rep. of the $7.19 billion $4.18 billion $11.37 billion
4 Mali $2.67 billion $6.64 billion $9.31 billion
5 Egypt $7.58 billion $1.43 billion $9.01 billion
6 Côte d'Ivoire $4.36 billion $4.10 billion $8.46 billion
7 Zimbabwe $2.89 billion $5.31 billion $8.2 billion
8 Angola $7.29 billion $0.61 billion $7.9 billion
9 Uganda $2.24 billion $5.36 billion $7.6 billion
10 Namibia $3.15 billion $3.93 billion $7.08 billion
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa ranked among world's best countries
Three African countries, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, have been ranked among the world's best countries. Three African nations, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, are included in the 2024 Best Countries Rankings. Egypt ranked highest among African nations, securing the 35th position globally. The rankings evaluated 87 countries based on perceptions across 73 attributes grouped into 10 subrankings. Three African countries, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, have been ranked among the world's best countries in the 2024 Best Countries Rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report, in collaboration with Wharton School and global marketing firm WPP. Egypt emerged as the highest-ranked African country, placing 35th globally. It was followed by Morocco at 39th and South Africa at 40th. The rankings are based on a global survey that measured public perceptions of 87 countries across a wide range of attributes, rather than hard economic data alone. The annual survey tapped into the views of more than 17,000 respondents from across the world, including business leaders, educated elites, and everyday citizens, who evaluated countries on 73 different attributes. These attributes were grouped into 10 thematic subrankings: Adventure, Agility, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power, Quality of Life, and Social Purpose. To qualify for inclusion, countries had to meet minimum thresholds in GDP, tourism, and foreign direct investment (FDI). The final rankings were calculated by correlating the attribute scores with GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP), a measure of inclusive national prosperity. While Switzerland claimed the top spot globally, scoring high on business environment, quality of life, and social purpose, Japan and the United States followed closely due to their innovation strength, global influence, and large economies.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
London mayor to visit Lagos, 3 other African cities as part of UK-Africa engagement
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to undertake a historic trade mission to Africa, aimed at strengthening ties between the UK capital and key economies on the continent. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is embarking on a historic trade mission to Africa, focusing on enhancing ties with major cities Khan's itinerary includes visits to Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, recognized as economic and cultural hubs. The visit marks the first official African trade mission by a London Mayor, highlighting a commitment to fostering global partnerships. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to visit four major African cities - Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town as part of a UK-Africa engagement tour aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between the United Kingdom and the African continent. The tour reflects London's growing commitment to deepening global relationships beyond Europe and will celebrate both the historical and contemporary connections between the UK capital and Africa. According to City Hall, the visit aims to highlight the contributions of African communities to London's diversity and economy while forging new partnerships in business, technology, and the creative industries. Speaking on his official X profile, Khan confirmed his travel plans, saying, ' Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town; These will be my stops later this month on the first trade mission to Africa by a Mayor of London.' The announcement follows his recent visit to Flygerians, a Nigerian restaurant in Peckham, where he met with business owners to witness first-hand the contributions of African entrepreneurs to the city's economy. Africa's big economies on target The Africa trip, first announced in December last year, is part of a strategic trade and diplomatic outreach aimed at deepening business, environmental, and cultural ties between London and key African economies. Mayor Sadiq Khan's itinerary will take him to four major commercial hubs across Nigeria (Lagos), Ghana (Accra), and South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg), cities regarded as some of Africa's most dynamic economic centers. His visit will include high-level meetings with political and business leaders, as well as engagements with cultural institutions and members of the African diaspora. Sir Sadiq Khan said: 'I'm delighted to announce that later this month I will be visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to bang the drum for further investment in London and strengthen the cultural ties we have with each country." 'With growing populations, rapidly advancing technology hubs and an appetite for boosting our trading relationships, this trade mission will be a fantastic opportunity to drive further investment here in London and further deepen our partnerships.' In Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa's largest economies, Khan is expected to pursue new partnerships in technology, fintech, education, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, in South Africa, the UK's largest trading partner on the continent, the focus will be on green investment and fostering city-to-city cooperation on urban sustainability and innovation.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
Elon Musk's Starlink goes live in Chad, its 24th market in Africa
Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has officially commenced operations in Chad. Starlink has launched internet services in Chad, becoming the 24th African region where the service is available. This follows Chad's approval of Starlink's operating license in November 2023. With only 12% internet access penetration in 2022, Chad's market reflects a significant need for improved connectivity. Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has officially commenced operations in Chad, following the finalisation of its licensing process and confirmation via the company's official availability map. The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter), where Starlink confirmed its entry into the Central African country: 'Starlink's high-speed internet is now available in Chad, marking the 24th country, territory or market in Africa where Starlink is available,' the post read. This launch follows Chad's approval of Starlink's operating license in November 2023, clearing the way for the company to offer its low-Earth orbit satellite internet services in one of the continent's most underserved markets. According to the World Bank, only 12% of Chad's population had internet access as of 2022, underscoring the urgent need for improved digital infrastructure. African expansion Starlink's arrival in Chad is part of a wider push to enhance internet penetration across Africa, where just 40% of the continent's 1.3 billion people currently have access to the internet, the lowest rate globally. The service is now available in countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Benin, South Sudan, Eswatini, and Sierra Leone. In 2025 alone, the company has secured operational licenses in Somalia and Lesotho and gone live in Liberia and Niger. Despite these milestones, Starlink continues to face regulatory roadblocks in some African markets. Notably, the service remains unavailable in South Africa, the continent's most advanced economy, due to unresolved licensing and compliance issues.
