Intra-Continental Trade Expansion to Take Centre Stage in New Focus Report on Africa

Posted on September 9, 2021 · 2 min read

Intra-Continental Trade Expansion to Take Centre Stage in New Focus Report on Africa - Featured Image | MEA Markets
Share this article

African Economic Zones Organisation and Oxford Business Group to team up for latest project on region’s growth story

A new focus report, produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG) in partnership with the Africa Economic Zones Organisation (AEZO), will explore the potential that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds as a driver of intra-regional trade by linking local markets.

Titled “Special Economic Zones in Africa”, the report will provide in-depth analysis of the continent’s potential for enhanced regional integration in an easy-to-navigate and accessible format, focusing on key data and infographics relating to Africa’s socio-economic landscape.

The report will shine a spotlight on Africa’s special economic zones (SEZs), examining in detail the part they are expected to play in galvanising industrialisation and trade facilitation across borders.

It will track the developments under way in individual AEZO member countries, analysing key data across a wide range of metrics, such as such as trade volumes, business models, regulatory frameworks and access to finance.

Other topical issues analysed will include the impact of Covid-19 on intra-African trade and how these are being addressed.

In the report Ahmed Bennis, Secretary-General, AEZO, will share his thoughts on a wide range of issues, including how SEZs can leverage rising demand across the continent for industrialisation, with the AfCFTA now active.

“Special economic zones have a key role to play in enhancing the attractiveness of the African markets, while contributing to the expansion of local economies,” he said. “I look forward to tracking their development with Oxford Business Group and exploring what SEZs can do to boost investment in this important and timely report.”

Commenting ahead of the report publication, Karine Loehman, OBG’s Managing Director for Africa, said SEZs were taking centre stage in Africa’s efforts to attract FDI, with more than 200 now established across the continent.

“Challenges to their development remain, such as access to land and provision of power,” Loehman said. “However, the opportunities to play a part in Africa’s growth story by developing the essential industrial, logistic and service activities that companies need are huge.”

The focus report on Africa will form part of a series of tailored reports that OBG is currently producing with its partners, alongside other highly relevant, go-to research tools, including a range of country-specific Growth and Recovery Outlook articles and interviews.

You might also like

Looking for more? Gain deeper insights with these recommended articles, selected to provide further value.

May 16, 2023 What Is The MEA Market and How To Navigate it

For the studious, dedicated financial guru, it behoves to stay abreast of all the potential endeavours one can pursue. Take any reputable trading platform, for example. They will often open the window to all sorts of markets including the US, UK, ...

April 15, 2025 Why the Middle East Is Leading Europe on Plastic Waste

Europe is stagnating when it comes to plastic environmental policies. Rather than encouraging sustainable technologies, the EU is muddled about new technologies - continuing to live in the past with environmentally-damaging old-fashioned plastic.

July 15, 2022 Ceramic Tiles, Bioclimatic Architecture in the Construction, Design Industry Can Drive ROI by More Than 1000%

Rising global warming rates point toward the need for sustainable architecture and materials in the building industries which accounts for 40% of global emissions in the world.

Join our newsletter.

Gain Access To Exclusive Content

Stay Updated With The Latest News

It's Free To Subscribe

By signing up, you agree to receive marketing emails.

Join our newsletter box - side image
Trusted by the best teams around the world