Afreximbank Launches 2025 Report on African Trade in a Shifting Global Financial Landscape

Strategic Insights -

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has launched its flagship African Trade Report 2025, themed "African Trade in a Changing Global Financial Architecture". The report highlights the performance of Africa's trade in a challenging global environment characterized by rising geopolitical tensions, new trade barriers, and financial uncertainty. According to the report, Africa's total merchandise trade recovered strongly in 2024, surging by 13.9% to reach US$1.5 trillion, following a 5.4% contraction in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • Africa's total merchandise trade recovered to US$1.5 trillion in 2024, a 13.9% increase from 2023, but still accounts for only 3.3% of global exports.
  • Trade between African countries grew by 12.4% to reach US$220.3 billion in 2024, from a contraction of 5.9% in 2023.
  • Africa's economy grew by 3.2% in 2024, helped by strong commodity prices and better public finances, but growth remains uneven across the continent.
  • African trade in 2024 was driven by a 12.1% increase in imports and a 15.7% increase in exports.
  • The report emphasizes the importance of advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and highlights the expanding use of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
  • Afreximbank plans to increase its trade finance disbursements to US$40 billion by 2026, up from US$17.5 billion in 2024.
  • The report calls for changes in credit ratings to better reflect the strength and potential of African economies and urges African multilateral financial institutions to increase their funding for development.
  • The report highlights the growth of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) and its role in increasing funding for development and rebuilding a financial ecosystem that works better for Africans.

Statistics:

  • Africa's total merchandise trade increased by 13.9% to US$1.5 trillion in 2024.
  • Trade between African countries grew by 12.4% to reach US$220.3 billion in 2024.
  • Africa's economy grew by 3.2% in 2024.
  • Afreximbank's trade finance disbursements increased to US$17.5 billion in 2024.
  • Afreximbank plans to increase its trade finance disbursements to US$40 billion by 2026.
  • Africa accounts for only 3.3% of global exports.

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE, "Afreximbank Launches 2025 Report on African Trade in a Shifting Global Financial Landscape", June 26, 2025.
  • Afreximbank website, "African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade."