Trade facilitation report: driving African trade through digitalisation

The Trade Facilitation Report is the inaugural knowledge report by TradeMark Africa (TMA). It was launched in Kigali, Rwanda, on 3 December 2024 at the conclusion of the Africa Trade Development Forum 2024. ODI Global researchers – Dirk Willem te Velde, Yohannes Ayele, Maximiliano Mendez-Parra and Linda Calabrese – contributed to shaping the ideas of the report.

Recognising trade facilitation as a critical element for improving Africa’s trading environment, the Trade Facilitation Report addresses the priorities, lessons, risks and opportunities associated with trade facilitation in Africa. It seeks to outline ideas, opportunities, principles and priorities that should guide governmental actions and continental reforms in trade facilitation.

The primary message is clear: investing in trade facilitation yields substantial long-term benefits in growth for both the private sector and consumers, and advances in digital technology mean that this area is now particularly fertile to drive gains.

This document presents evidence of these benefits and lessons learned from various interventions across Africa, particularly from the impact of digitalisation in reducing the time and cost of trade for countries. It also highlights the disparities in policy frameworks and digital infrastructure, which, if effectively addressed, will further stimulate opportunities for intra-African trade. Lastly, it outlines risks that states should be wary of while accelerating digitalisation for trade.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.