Top 7 African Countries for Trade

It is a secret to no one that Africa is rich in natural resources. Gold, diamonds, oil, arable land, cattle, cocoa...

Add to that a young and growing workforce, expanding infrastructure, and the gradual rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the allure of trade with Africa is near irresistible to businesses.

Intra-African trade reached $208 billion in 2024, growing 7.7% from the previous year, owing to deeper regional integration and improved national trade policies. In this dynamic, exciting landscape of opportunities, 5 countries have truly set themselves apart:

South Africa

South Africa, once again, reaches the top of the charts. It remains the continent's most diversified and industrialised economy, and its dominance in intra-African trade is both unmatched and impressive.

South Africa’s trade with the rest of the continent rose to $42 billion in 2024, accounting for roughly 19% of total intra-African trade. Several reasons explain this growth:

• Advanced financial markets
• A robust transport network
• Deep diplomatic and business ties through the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC.

South Africa remained the most advanced logistics hub in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, and its infrastructure continues to serve as the backbone of regional commerce.

Egypt

Egypt continues to showcase its operational excellence, using its strategic location to lock in opportunities that only a territory so well-placed could offer.

Egypt’s uniquely enviable position bridges Africa, Europe, and Asia via the Suez Canal. This allows it to serve as a global transport and shipment hub. Meanwhile, its adjacent East Port Said Industrial Zone hosts a growing number of manufacturing and logistics firms. In 2024, Egypt's exports within the continent included cement, plastics, and flour, directed primarily to Libya, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, and Kenya, while the government ran over 200 trade missions into sub-Saharan markets.

Exports of oil, minerals, electrical machinery, and textiles continue to define trade in the country.

Nigeria

Few markets command as much respect and awe as Nigeria’s 200-million consumers strong market.

In 2024, Nigeria more than doubled its intra-African trade to $18.4 billion, achieving the feat of overtaking the Democratic Republic of Congo to become the second-largest intra-African trading nation on the continent.

This rise followed a slower 2023 and reflects the country’s renewed industrial and export activity. Nigeria's scale, population, and growing manufacturing base make it a centre for trade across West Africa and beyond.

Kenya

Kenya has established itself as the primary trade and logistics hub for East Africa.

The Port of Mombasa, East Africa's largest port, along with a robust road and rail network, facilitates trade flows across Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A landmark agreement between Kenya and Uganda to treat Kenyan-origin goods as intra-regional transfers rather than imports has reduced administrative friction within the East African Community. This example precisely showcases Kenya’s broader push to ease cross-border trade.

Kenya has the strongest industrial base in East Africa and has attracted multinational companies seeking a gateway to the region's market. Kenya is well-supported by connected logistics routes and a well-developed financial and services sector.

Morocco

Though not always the first name mentioned in discussions of African trade, Morocco has steadily grown its footprint across the continent.

Morocco showed solid recovery in 2024, expanding its intra-African trade, particularly in manufacturing and energy equipment.

Its geographic position at the northern tip of Africa, combined with strong port infrastructure and free trade agreements with both European and African partners, makes it an increasingly important nation in continental and global supply chains.

Ghana

Ghana has emerged as one of West Africa's most dynamic actors in the trade industry.

Its intra-African exports were valued at $6.02 billion, contributing 5.46% of the continent's total, with a growth rate of over 27%, driven by exports of gold, cocoa, and petroleum products.

Ghana's agro-industrial sector has grown increasingly competitive, supplying chocolate, canned foods, vegetable oils, and beverages to West African markets. Meanwhile, its well-developed port infrastructure at Tema Port supports trade flows.

The country's stable political environment and ongoing economic reforms have further solidified its position as a vital regional trade partner.

Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire has quietly become an important country for trade in West Africa. Its intra-African trade rose in 2024, contributing 4.8% of total continental trade, driven by rising exports of refined petroleum and manufactured goods.

Its export basket of $4.36 billion was defined by refined petroleum, edible oils, cocoa derivatives, and manufactured consumer goods, with oil imported from Nigeria and re-exported to landlocked neighbours including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ghana.

As a signatory to the AfCFTA and an active member of both ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Côte d'Ivoire is well-placed to deepen ties with neighbouring markets.

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