Intra-African Trade on the RISE

By Yodit Admasu | African View

A sombre economic shift is taking place across Africa. From Zimbabwe's mineral exports to new transport corridors linking Angola, Malawi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, African nations are increasingly turning toward one another for trade, investment, and industrial partnerships.

For decades, Africa exported raw materials overseas while importing finished goods at higher prices. Today, that pattern is slowly changing as the continent pushes to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Zimbabwe, home to some of Africa's richest deposits of lithium, gold, platinum, and chrome, is positioning itself as a key supplier for regional industrial growth. Demand for lithium, which is critical for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies, is growing rapidly across African manufacturing and energy sectors.

Rather than relying solely on exports outside the continent, regional conversations are increasingly focusing on how Zimbabwe's minerals can support African industries, particularly in countries investing in battery production, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

One of the most significant developments is the strengthening of regional transport corridors linking Southern and Eastern Africa.

The Lobito Corridor, connecting Angola's Atlantic port to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is expected to reshape mineral and agricultural trade routes across the region. The corridor opens faster access to ports and reduces transport costs for landlocked countries.

Meanwhile, countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique are deepening trade ties through road and rail connectivity, allowing agricultural goods, fuel, fertilisers, and manufactured products to move more efficiently across borders.

Malawi has increasingly expanded regional trade partnerships, importing and exporting goods through neighbouring African countries rather than depending solely on overseas markets. This reflects a growing realisation that Africa's greatest market may be Africa itself.

However there still remains some obstacles in the way of progress. Poor road infrastructure, border delays, visa restrictions, currency instability, and limited industrial capacity remain significant barriers.

For many traders, transporting goods across African borders can still be more expensive and complicated than shipping products overseas.

Yet economists argue that every new railway, trade agreement, and regional partnership marks a step toward reducing that dependency.

The growing political and economic will across the continent is contributing to the smooth development of AfCFTA. African leaders and businesses are increasingly speaking the language of self-reliance, regional value chains, and economic sovereignty.

From Zimbabwe's minerals to Angola's transport corridors and Malawi's expanding regional trade links, Africa is slowly building an economy that connects African producers to African consumers.

The transformation may not happen overnight. But for the first time in decades, the continent appears to be moving steadily toward a future where Africa trades more with itself and grows stronger because of it.