Over the next three years, trade flows between Arab states and African countries are projected to grow by a staggering US$37 billion, according to comments by Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun.
Minister Edun made the remarks during the 5th edition of the Arab‑Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) agribusiness matchmaking event in Abuja, a gathering designed to foster real business ties across the two regions. He emphasized that the forum isn’t a mere side event, but a central component of regional economic cooperation.
Edun explained that the goal goes beyond talk: the ambition is to move from dialogue to action, from goodwill to concrete deals. In particular, agribusiness was highlighted as a priority sector, considered crucial for delivering practical impact and unlocking cross-border investment flows between Arab and African nations.
The proposed scale-up in trade dovetails with broader trends across Africa. For instance, a recent report by Afreximbank shows that intra-African trade surged 12.4% in 2024, reaching US$220.3 billion, evidence that stronger regional linkages are already paying off. Moreover, Nigeria itself saw its intra-African trade jump to US$18.4 billion in 2024, up from just US$8.1 billion in 2023.
This fresh focus on Arab-African trade may help diversify Africa’s trade relationships, reducing reliance on traditional markets outside the continent and enhancing economic resilience in a volatile global environment.
That said, unlocking US$37 billion in new trade depends on overcoming several long-standing obstacles: trade frictions, logistical bottlenecks, and infrastructural gaps. Research on Arab-Africa trade potential suggests roughly half of additional exports over the next few years could stem from growth and tariff improvements; the rest may require addressing structural barriers.
If implemented effectively, this expansion could drive investment, create jobs, and bolster Africa’s value chains, helping to deepen economic integration between Arab and African regions and maximize mutual gains.
Boosting Arab–African trade by US$37 billion could significantly increase Africa’s export revenues, attract foreign investment, and generate employment. By improving trade connectivity and diversifying export markets, countries can reduce dependence on traditional partners, strengthen domestic industries, and build economic resilience amid global uncertainty.
