Intra-African trade: $230 billion expected in 2026, says Afreximbank

Intra-African trade is projected to reach $230 billion in 2026, up 10% from $210 billion in 2025, according to the African Trade and Economic Outlook 2026 published in late March by Afreximbank. This growth is driven by the expansion of the ZLECAf and the rollout of the PAPSS, which is expected to reduce currency conversion costs by 20–30%. Intra-African trade is forecast to account for 16% of total trade, estimated at around $1.4 trillion. However, exports remain dominated by commodities at 60–70%, and the continent still represents only about 3% of global exports. Untapped export potential is estimated at $434 billion, highlighting the need for deeper structural transformation.