The Pan African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), Mansur Ahmed has expressed concern over ongoing obstacles limiting cross-border trade across the continent, despite the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
PAMA President, Mansur Ahmed, made this known in a statement to journalists on Sunday in Lagos. He explained that trade among African countries, particularly in manufactured goods, remains low, contributing only about 18 per cent of the continent’s total trade.
He compared this with Europe, where intra-regional trade stands at about 60 per cent, noting that Africa’s situation reflects long-standing structural problems that existed even before AfCFTA was introduced.
Ahmed pointed out that Africa’s trade system, which is largely built around regional blocs, has not yet achieved smooth cross-border trade. Many countries, he said, still focus on exporting raw materials outside the continent instead of trading finished goods within Africa.
According to him, this pattern weakens industrial growth, limits regional value chains, and reduces Africa’s competitiveness in global manufacturing.
He identified several key challenges affecting trade within Africa, including high tariffs and non-tariff barriers such as import bans, quotas, and inconsistent product standards.
“Africa’s integration architecture has yet to deliver seamless cross-border trade in manufactured goods.
“Colonial-era trade patterns remain entrenched, with economies exporting raw commodities rather than exchanging value-added products internally.
“Trade across Africa remains complex, costly and inefficient, despite decades of integration efforts and AfCFTA momentum,” he said.
Ahmed also highlighted inefficient customs systems as a major issue. He noted that manual processes and poor coordination among agencies often lead to delays, higher costs, and unpredictable delivery schedules.
In addition, he said poor infrastructure continues to slow trade, pointing to bad road networks, congested ports, and limited rail systems as major concerns.
Other issues he mentioned include weak connectivity between countries, high costs of trade finance, unstable currencies, and poor implementation of trade agreements.
Ahmed further warned that informal and illegal trade activities, driven by price differences and weak enforcement, are undermining formal trade systems and reducing government revenues.
He stressed that limited development of regional value chains remains a major challenge, as many African economies still operate independently rather than collaboratively.
To address these issues, Ahmed called for joint efforts from governments, development institutions, and private sector players.
He recommended the adoption of digital trade systems, such as single-window platforms and automated documentation, to improve efficiency at borders.
He also urged governments to remove non-tariff barriers and ensure proper implementation of AfCFTA rules to create a more transparent trade environment.
Ahmed emphasised the need to expand access to trade finance through institutions like the African Export Import Bank and the African Development Bank.
He added that increased investment in transport infrastructure and better trade corridors would help reduce costs and improve connectivity across the continent.
Finally, he noted that encouraging cross-border industrial clusters and aligning national policies would strengthen regional value chains and improve Africa’s competitiveness.
