By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Pictures: Supplied – Standard Bank
Seen Here: Philip Myburgh, Group Head of Trade at Standard Bank Group Business and Commercial Banking, speaking on the latest findings of the Africa Trade Barometer highlighting improved trade-enabling infrastructure and growing business confidence across African market.. Photo Credit: Standard Bank.
Johannesburg, South Africa – 5 March 2026 — Trade-enabling infrastructure across several African economies is showing notable improvement, while business confidence and macroeconomic stability continue to strengthen, according to the latest Africa Trade Barometer (ATB) released by Standard Bank Group.
The fifth edition of the annual report provides a detailed analysis of trade conditions across 10 key African markets: Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Together, these economies account for approximately 68% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, making them critical indicators of the continent’s broader trade trajectory.
According to Philip Myburgh, the findings mark an important milestone for African trade development.
“Across the 10 markets we surveyed, firms reported improvements across every major infrastructure category, including power, telecommunications, road, rail, ports and digital border systems. This marks the first time since the Africa Trade Barometer’s launch that all infrastructure indicators have improved simultaneously,” he said.
Infrastructure Investment Driving Trade Efficiency
The ATB findings suggest that growing investment in logistics infrastructure and digital trade systems is gradually improving the efficiency of cross-border commerce across the continent.
Businesses surveyed reported progress across multiple infrastructure pillars, including:
- Stabilisation of electricity grids through new transmission lines and storage capacity
- Expansion of 4G and 5G telecommunications networks
- Upgrades to regional highway and transport corridors
- Digitised border systems designed to reduce customs delays
These improvements are increasingly reducing transaction costs, improving supply-chain predictability and strengthening the competitiveness of African exporters.
Economic Growth and Rising Business Confidence
The report projects economic growth across the surveyed markets to trend towards 4.3% in 2026, supported by moderating inflation in seven of the ten economies and improving external debt positions.
Business sentiment has also strengthened significantly. The ATB’s business confidence index rose to 65, with most firms anticipating improved turnover and more stable trading conditions in the coming year.
Commodity markets are also contributing to the positive outlook. Strong global demand for gold, platinum and copper has boosted export revenues and foreign-exchange inflows for several African economies.
AfCFTA Integration Gains Momentum
The study highlights growing awareness and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa’s landmark initiative aimed at creating a single continental market.
Awareness of AfCFTA among surveyed businesses has now reached 50%, with companies citing benefits such as:
- Easier movement of goods across borders
- Wider market access across African economies
- Opportunities for industrialisation and regional value chains
Early shipments conducted under AfCFTA provisions demonstrate tangible operational progress, signalling that the agreement is gradually moving from policy ambition to practical implementation.
East Africa Emerges as Trade Leader
Among the regions analysed, East Africa recorded the strongest trade performance, with export activity rising by 10 percentage points.
The report attributes the surge primarily to policy coordination and trade facilitation reforms, particularly involving Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya has played a pivotal role as a regional integration anchor following a new trade classification agreement with Uganda, which now treats Kenyan-origin goods as intra-regional transfers rather than imports. The shift has significantly reduced administrative barriers within the East African Community.
Simultaneously, Kenya and Tanzania have renewed commitments to eliminate non-tariff barriers, further improving cross-border trade flows.
Global Trade Shifts Influencing African Markets
The ATB also notes changes in global trade relationships affecting African firms.
Shifts in tariff policies impacting access to the United States — including uncertainty around the African Growth and Opportunity Act — have led to declining engagement with US trade partners among businesses surveyed.
In contrast, trade engagement with Asian markets, particularly China, is rising. Firms cited competitive pricing, faster supply chains and greater product variety as key advantages.
Digital Payments Transform Cross-Border Trade
Another major trend identified in the report is the rapid digitisation of trade payments.
Digital systems now facilitate 78% of cross-border sales and 79% of purchases, driven by mobile money integration, bank-led digital payment rails and the growing adoption of the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System.
The system allows businesses to settle cross-border transactions in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign currency intermediaries and lowering transaction costs.
Climate Pressures Remain a Constraint
Despite the positive outlook, the report warns that climate-related challenges continue to affect business operations.
- 38% of firms reported shifts in demand linked to climate impacts
- 32% experienced productivity losses due to climate disruptions
These pressures highlight the need for resilient infrastructure, sustainable supply chains and climate-adaptive production systems across the continent.
Outlook: A Stronger Platform for Continental Trade
The overall outlook for African trade remains positive as infrastructure investment, policy reforms and digital innovation continue to reshape the continent’s commercial landscape.
Myburgh said deeper implementation of AfCFTA could significantly accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
“As AfCFTA implementation deepens and countries harmonise customs, regulatory frameworks and logistics platforms, Africa’s ability to expand industrial capacity, scale regional value chains and strengthen competitiveness is set to accelerate.”
The findings suggest that Africa’s trade ecosystem is entering a new phase, where infrastructure development, digital integration and regional cooperation are laying the foundation for a more connected and competitive continental economy.
