Afreximbank says Africa can turn geopolitical disruption into trade growth

Afreximbank has launched its 2026 African Trade Report, arguing that Africa can convert geopolitical disruption and supply chain fragmentation into a long-term trade and industrialisation opportunity.

The report, titled Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa, was released on 24 June and reviews trade and economic developments across Africa and globally during the 2025 operating environment.

Afreximbank said the report sets out strategic options for African economies to strengthen resilience, deepen regional value chains and reduce exposure to external shocks.

The release comes as global trade flows are being reshaped by protectionism, supply chain realignment, sanctions risk and geopolitical uncertainty. For African economies, the challenge is to move beyond dependence on raw commodity exports and build higher-value regional production capacity.

The report’s message is closely aligned with Afreximbank’s wider push to expand intra-African trade, support industrialisation and increase the use of African-led trade finance structures.

For banks and trade finance providers, the findings point to continued demand for instruments that can support regional trade, import substitution, industrial projects and cross-border settlement. These include structured trade finance, guarantees, receivables-based funding and supply chain finance.

The report also reinforces the argument that trade fragmentation is not only a risk. For African markets, it may create new opportunities to attract investment, localise production and capture value in sectors where supply chains are being reconsidered.

The practical question is whether African financial institutions can mobilise enough capital to turn that opportunity into bankable trade and industrial projects.