If you were an African leader, how would you promote African intra-trade to unlock agricultural potential in Africa

Juma Hanje
3 min readDec 29, 2022

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Promoting African Intra-Trade to Unlock Agricultural Potential

Africa is a vast and diverse continent with a rich agricultural tradition. From the savannas of the Sahel to the highlands of Ethiopia, African farmers have been cultivating a wide variety of crops for centuries. However, despite this abundance of natural resources, Africa’s agricultural sector has yet to reach its full potential. One key reason for this is the limited level of trade within the continent.

Intra-African trade currently accounts for just 18% of the continent’s total trade, compared to 60% in Europe and 50% in Asia. This low level of trade is a major obstacle to economic growth and development on the continent, as it limits the ability of African countries to access new markets and generate income from their agricultural exports. To unlock the full potential of Africa’s agricultural sector, it is crucial that African leaders take steps to promote intra-African trade.

There are several steps that African leaders can take to promote intra-African trade and unlock the agricultural potential of the continent. First and foremost, they can implement trade agreements and policies that support the free flow of goods and services within the continent. One example of such an initiative is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into force in 2021 and currently has 54 member countries representing about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of more than $3 trillion. The AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent by reducing tariffs and other barriers to trade. By increasing intra-African trade, the AfCFTA aims to stimulate economic growth and development on the continent.

Another key step that African leaders can take is to invest in infrastructure development. Improving infrastructure, such as roads, rail, ports, and airports, can make it easier for African countries to trade with each other and increase access to markets. For example, if a country has a well-developed transportation network, it can more easily transport its agricultural products to other countries within the continent or to global markets. By investing in infrastructure, African leaders can help create the conditions necessary for increased intra-African trade and economic growth.

A third way that African leaders can promote intra-African trade is by encouraging the development of regional value chains. These involve the transformation of raw materials into finished products within a specific region. By participating in regional value chains, African countries can add value to their agricultural products and increase their competitiveness in global markets. For example, if a country grows coffee beans, it could invest in processing facilities that roast and package the beans, creating a finished product that is more valuable than the raw beans. By participating in regional value chains, African countries can increase the value of their exports and earn more income.

In addition to these measures, African leaders can also encourage the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector. SMEs can play a vital role in driving economic growth and development in Africa. These businesses can provide employment, contribute to local economic development, and increase the availability of goods and services in the region. To support the growth of SMEs in the agricultural sector, African leaders could provide access to financing, training, and other forms of support. For example, a government could set up a loan program specifically for small farmers or agribusinesses, or it could provide technical assistance to help them adopt new technologies or improve their operations.

Finally, African leaders can work with regional and international organizations to identify best practices and technologies that can be adopted and adapted to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency in Africa. This could involve sharing information on innovative farming techniques, such as precision agriculture or drip irrigation, or partnering with organizations to provide training and resources to farmers. By adopting new technologies

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