Transforming Intra-Africa Trade to Promote Investment, Economic Diversification and Inclusion

Welcome to your November edition of the Africa Bulletin.

This month, we look at Intra-Africa trade and its potential to promote investment, economic diversification and inclusion. While traditionally focused on commodity exports, many African economies are now seeking to rethink their trade and investment patterns, moving toward value-added production and intra-regional trade that could unlock significant economic opportunity.

Across the region, we recently announced the appointment of Alex Layden as a Partner in Anjarwalla Collins & Haidermota (AC&H), the regional office of ALN based in UAE. Alex specialises in complex commercial disputes and has extensive experience handling cross-border disputes for clients in the Middle East and internationally. Alex’s appointment reinforces our commitment to strengthening AC&H’s international dispute offering.

Our focus also delves into major African business headlines impacting the region and the globe. These stories combine with comprehensive reports centred on Africa's carbon markets, financial architecture and Eastern Africa's tourism and investment landscape.

As always, we've curated news stories to navigate you through today's business environment, offering a global perspective on the legal issues relevant to your industry.

We are ALN. One region, One vision, One ALN.

Top Story

Intra-Africa trade has long held untapped potential for the continent’s economic growth and resilience. As African countries strive for economic diversification, reducing dependency on raw material exports and fostering industrialisation remains a key objective. While traditionally focused on commodity exports, many African economies are now seeking to rethink their trade and investment patterns, moving toward value-added production and intra-regional trade that could unlock significant economic opportunity.

However, realising this vision demands a renewed focus on the structural reforms and infrastructural investments necessary to integrate markets and create diverse and inclusive growth. The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2021 represent a milestone for the continent, creating the largest free trade area in the world by...Read more.

Stories that Matter

1. Algeria | Algeria Boosts Rail Network Expansion with USD 2.8 Billion Investment in New Trains - Algeria has committed USD 2.8 billion to revitalise its rail network, a crucial step in the country’s efforts to improve transportation and promote connectivity within the...Read more
2. Angola | USD 12 Billion Angola LNG Project Explores Expansion Options - The Angola liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is exploring expansion options as the facility is expected to ramp up gas supplies over the next 12 months. Options include adding a new...Read more
3. Egypt | Egypt Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship Investments to USD 5 Billion - Egypt recently revealed plans to significantly increase investments in the entrepreneurship sector, from USD 500 million to USD 5 Billion. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently announced...Read more
4. Kenya | Kenya Steps Up Classifying Hotels in 16 Counties to Boost Tourism - The Tourism Regulatory Authority is stepping up the nationwide classification of all tourism facilities and establishments. In the latest round, the TRA wants consultants to coordinate the...Read more
5. Morocco | New Investment Charter Boosts Morocco’s Industrial Projects by USD 13 Billion - Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch recently noted that the new Investment Charter has greatly enhanced the performance of the National Investment Commission, driving drastic...Read more
6. Nigeria | Nigeria, Others to Share USD 10 Billion 5G Cash - Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa that have deployed the 5G technology to offer telecom services are set to share USD 10 billion cash as proceeds from the technology which features lower latency...Read more
7. South Africa | South Africa Emerging as a Top Investment Destination - South Africa is rapidly gaining recognition as an attractive destination for global investors thanks to its strategic positioning and abundant natural resources. Amid a climate of political stability...Read more
8. Tanzania | Tanzania’s Exports to African Countries Surpass Imports - The value of goods Tanzania exports to other African countries has reached USD 2.65 billion, nearly double the value of imports it receives from the continent. According to the Arusha-based East...Read more

Reports

Carbon Markets in Africa: Unlocking Potential for Shared Sustainable Growth & Climate Resilience | NEPAD

The findings of this report indicate a growing interest among certain African nations in leveraging carbon markets to fulfil their Nationally Determined Contributions commitments. However, many African countries lag in adopting and utilising carbon markets. Several factors contribute to this limited adoption on the continent.

Carbon markets offer more than just environmental benefits; they have the potential to generate socio-economic value through various mechanisms. These advantages encompass revenue generation, job creation, rural economic development, and empowerment. If effectively harnessed, these benefits can transform communities across Africa.

Click here to download and read the report. 

Investing in Eastern Africa | United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

The Eastern Africa region’s economy experienced strong GDP growth before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The structure of the economies in the region is a function of the country: some countries are “resource-rich” countries, with their economies highly dependent on natural resources.

There are also huge investment opportunities in the manufacturing, infrastructure, and service internal market sectors. The main recommendations from this study are summarised. The initiatives aim to help countries in the region implement measures and action plans to address their key challenges and fully benefit from the implementation of AfCFTA and its investment protocol.

Click here to download and read the report. 

Boosting Regional Tourism in Eastern Africa | United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

This report explores how Eastern African urban centres can become competitive tourism destinations by assessing opportunities and challenges in the rapidly growing tourism sector, which drives regional socioeconomic development.

Urban tourism development is considered a means through which the Eastern African tourism product offer can be diversified, and tourist arrivals enhanced across the rapidly urbanising landscape. Viewed in this context, it was imperative to undertake this study to  to guide East African countries to tap into the opportunities available in urban tourism and contribute to the sustainable development of cities.

Click here to download and read the report. 

The IMF and the Future of the Global Financial Architecture: A Report of the Africa High-Level Working Group on the Global Financial Architecture | United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

This study is a contribution to the ongoing discussion on the costs and implications of addressing the two fundamental energy challenges facing the African continent, namely achieving universal access to electricity in line with Sustainable Development Goal number 7 and expanding power systems to support economic growth without getting locked into a high-emissions pathway. 

Specifically, the study aims to derive insights from economic least-cost expansion modelling to: Estimate economic least-cost investment requirements and related emissions; and Explore existing structural barriers to and enablers of the energy transition. 

Click here to download and read the report. 

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you find this edition of the Africa Bulletin informative and inspiring.