Intra-African Trade

Trade among African countries represent only 7% of the continent’s external trade, said Malian Habib Ouane, Director of the Division of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Special Projects of the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

We cannot talk about African unity, African federal government, without reinforcing intra-African exchanges that represent only 7 percent of the continent’s external trade,” he told PANA in Paris, adding: “We should work to reverse this trend.”

Ouane noted that increased intra-African trade might accelerate African integration and make national economies less vulnerable to external shocks.

“Countries that have technological capacities should help those who do not have any to transform raw materials,” he said.

“African cotton-producing countries can get along with other states of the continent that have a technological (edge) in the field. Together, they can create textile sectors that include all elements of the chain,” he added.

In a report published 19 July, the UNCTAD urged the LDCs to mobilise financial resources to encourage technological innovation, noting that it may have a real added value on economies.

The report also called on African states to reinforce economic exchanges and the transfer of experience.

PANA, Paris, France

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