Africa is a vast and culturally diverse continent

Trade has always had a long african history attached to it. With various regions engaging in commercial activities long before the arrival of European powers the trade networks in Africa were diverse, involving both internal and external exchanges. It’s important to note that Africa is a vast and culturally diverse continent, so trading practices varied across different regions and time periods.

Here are some key aspects of African trade:

Community Trade:  African societies engaged in internal trade among different regions. Goods such as salt, gold, ivory, textiles, and agricultural products were traded between Empires, Kingdoms,  communities as well as regions and this is a tradition that has been carried on and it is still evident today. Ivory was harvested in a well environmentally balanced nature. Ivory, sourced from African elephants, was traded both internally and externally. It was highly valued in various parts of the world for its use in art and craftsmanship. African textiles, known to be a trademark of colorful fabrics and woven materials, were traded both within the continent and with external regions.

Regional Route: Regional route was also known as Trans-Saharan trade routes, connected present day North Africa to West Africa. Gold from other Kingdoms (West Africa, especially the Mali Empire) was a highly sought-after commodity, and it was exchanged for salt, textiles, and other goods from North Africa.

Indian Ocean Trade: This is what is termed international trade today. Throughout the Kingdoms of Africa, international trade was practiced. Even today East Africa still plays a significant role in the Indian Ocean trade network. Coastal city-states like Kilwa, Sofala, and Mogadishu were involved in trading goods such as gold, ivory, spices, and exotic goods with the Middle East, India, and China. The  domestication of camels in North Africa facilitated the expansion of trade across the Sahara Desert, linking West and North Africa.

In present day East Africa and other coastal areas like Mozambique and Angola advancements in navigation and shipbuilding allowed for maritime trade along the Indian and Atlantic Ocean coast. Swahili city-states were key players in this trade network.

According to African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement (eac.int), The AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to create a single market for the continent. The aim is to enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent and boost the trading position of Africa in the global market. 

As part of its mandate, the AfCFTA is to eliminate trade barriers and boost intra-Africa trade. In particular, it is to advance trade in value-added production across all service sectors of the African Economy. The AfCFTA will contribute to establishing regional value chains in Africa, enabling investment and job creation. The practical implementation of the AfCFTA has the potential to foster industrialisation, job creation, and investment, thus enhancing the competitiveness of Africa in the medium to long term.

The AfCFTA entered into force on May 30, 2019, after 24 Member States deposited their Instruments of Ratification following a series of continuous continental engagements spanning since 2012. It was launched at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Niamey – Niger, in July 2019. The commencement of trading under the AfCFTA was in January 1, 2021.