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Which Are Africa’s Most Tradable Countries? The Answer May Surprise You
By Joel Popoola
Here’s an exploration of the best places in Africa to do business, and they are not necessarily the first countries you might think of.
When we talk about the best places in Africa to do business, all too often we focus exclusively on the continent’s most established economies – South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. And as a proud Nigerian I am as guilty as that as anyone!
Which is why new research into the most tradable countries in Africa is quite so interesting – some of the best places in the continent to do business are not necessarily the ones you’re thinking of.
The latest African Trade Barometer, produced by Standard Bank – one of Africa’s biggest – suggests that British businesses should in fact be taking a closer look at Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and even Angola.
The survey ranks nations on economic stability, governance, infrastructure and trade openness – using both quantitative data and a comprehensive survey of businesses of all sizes from across Africa.
Result show Namibia, Uganda and Angola competing with more established economies such as Ghana and South Africa when it comes to tradability, with Tanzania praised for its government support for trading activities – based around President Hassan’s efforts to engage world leaders and develop its international relations – Uganda for its export and import prospects, and Angola for its infrastructure and ease of trade with foreign markets. Angola’s booming chemicals and processing sector in particular seems to be taking advantage of global trading constraints.
Zambia is rated highly for its improved economic stability, no doubt the impact of a relatively new government’s approach to the economy – which has lead to 80% of businesses expecting their turnover to increase in the next year.
As a long-term believer in the link between good governance and business confidence and growth – and has developed the digital technology to improve the transparency and accountability of elected officials in Nigerian – it is gratifying to see successful elections in Kenya, Angola and Zambia, and the change of president in Tanzania, have lead to improved business attitudes throughout these nations and their neighbours.
British businesses need to start thinking more about Africa – especially if they want to take advantage of the coming African Continental Free Trade Area. This will make Africa the largest free trade area in the world, a single market of over a billion consumers and a combined GDP of over US$3 trillion – although there is no shame about British businesses being in the dark about the agreement, the figures show that only 3% of Mozambique businesses are!
Even where tradability is less strong, there are opportunities for British business – power outages remain a severe infrastructural obstacle to trade – particularly in Nigeria, South Africa and Mozambique. But that means opportunities for British businesses to tackle these issues here and across the continent.
The results also show African businesses seeking to import fewer goods directly from China with the greatest decrease occurring in Angola, Mozambique and Namibia.
This is undoubtedly the result of China’s Zero Covid policy with which has seen ports and businesses shut down to stop the spread of the virus – leaving African traders looking elsewhere to avoid supply chain interruptions. Why not Britain?
The figures are not all good for Africa. The figures indicate that interest rate rises in the United States have increased borrowing across many African markets, negatively impacting business confidence – particularly in Ghana where a combination of inflation and poor liquidity has adversely impacted the country’s ability to import.
Nonetheless British businesses need to open their eyes to the potential of Africa – and look beyond the usual suspects.
The UK government has negotiated a number of free trade agreements with African countries and trading blocs since it left the European Union creating significant opportunities for African consumers and companies, not least in our 24 English speaking countries – and the International Monetary Fund has predicted that over the next five years, half of the world’s ten fastest growing economies will be in Africa.
Joel is a software entrepreneur, and Chief Executive of political engagement app Rate Your Leader.
Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, has cautioned against calls for self-defence from mauruding bandits and killer herders, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau states.
General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.
But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as a dangerous path.
“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”
He argued that rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.
Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.
“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”
He added that these efforts helped halt a decades-long conflict:
“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”
Governor Namadi further noted that Jigawa is currently not among the states facing severe threats such as insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, the primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully curtailed.
“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for no. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.
Despite the worsening security in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi insisted that self-defence is not a viable solution and could deepen the crisis:
“So, I think the government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves — I think we have not reached that level yet.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He boasted that no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said: “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” Baba-Ahmed asked.
According to the former presidential aide, the North has suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences.
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.
While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”
Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
