International Trade and Finance

Africa is at a pivotal point on its development path. With a young population abundant natural resources and growing consumer markets it can play a key role in the global economy. However while Africa’s growth has rebounded from the Covid–19 pandemic it is below pre-pandemic levels and insufficient to meet the SDGs. Africa is again projected to be the second fastest growing region globally but most of its middle-income countries—which now account for more than half of African countries—are not on a trajectory to escape the middle-income trap in the medium term. At the same time the global economy and world at large are experiencing unprecedented turmoil disruptions and uncertainty driven both by megatrends (technology adoption climate shocks demographics) and deliberate policy actions by major actors.

The Economic Report on Africa 2025 (ERA 2025) examines AfCFTA’s implementation highlighting achievements challenges and its potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape. The report underscores AfCFTA’s role in addressing key challenges such as energy access food security industrialization and digital trade. By fostering intra-African trade the agreement can reduce commodity dependence boost manufacturing and strengthen Africa’s position in global value chains. Additionally AfCFTA enhances Africa’s resilience amid global economic fragmentation by deepening regional integration and strengthening trade ties with emerging markets. To fully realize AfCFTA’s potential Africa must undertake strategic investments implement well-coordinated policies and pursue structural reforms. If effectively executed AfCFTA could significantly enhance trade drive economic diversification and position Africa as a global growth hub contributing to the vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Over the past year the toll from environmental crises like climate change biodiversity loss and pollution has continued to rise devastating communities countries and entire regions.

This eighth global report provides new insights into the evolution of certified agriculture and forestry. The International Trade Centre has teamed up once again with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and the International Institute for Sustainable Development to provide data on 13 major sustainability standards for bananas cocoa coffee cotton oil palm soybeans sugarcane tea and forestry products. This year’s report adds data from 2022 and finds that growth continued after an unusual dip in 2020. The publication helps shape decisions of policymakers producers and businesses working to address systemic labour and environmental challenges through certified sustainable production.

This eighth global report provides new insights into the evolution of certified agriculture and forestry.