Deputy General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Valentine Rugwabiza, says Intra-Africa trade remain low at 10% due to the regulatory nature that African countries impose on each other.

“There are also historical reasons- political independence didn’t come with commercial independence and commercial structures remained unchanged after independence,” she said.

She noted that unless there is a change, there may be drastic fall in demand on African commodities. “If these constraints are not there, it would mean growth and job opportunities,” Rugwabiza told Business Day. “What is needed is a strong and lasting political commitment to growth and integration.”
In a related development, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, James Milne says, “the key to boosting intra African trade is for African countries to fully realise the benefits of investing on the continent.”