A new publication from the World Bank describes the trade dynamics in the various Sub-Saharan Africa’s subregions since 2010. The study shows that except from 2015 to 2019, Sub-Saharan Africa’s trade has, by and large, grown faster than other parts of the world. Specifically, the growth in exports has been particularly high for capital goods than for consumer or intermediate goods. Capital goods are durable goods that are used in producing other goods and services and include machinery, tools and other equipment used to produce goods for consumption. In terms of regional areas, East Africa’s takes the lead, with exports and imports of both goods and services that have grown systematically faster than other regions in Africa. By contrast, Southern Africa’s exports of goods have been growing in line with the world average.

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As part of its port diversification strategy, Ethiopia is undertaking a series of pre-feasibility studies for evaluating the development of railway links with the Berbera (Somalia), Lamu (Kenya), and Assab and Massawa (Eritrea) ports. Conducted by the Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC), the national railway operator of Ethiopia, these studies are aimed at exploring alternatives to Djibouti ports and corridors, that currently handle over 80 percent of Ethiopian trade, in an attempt to diversify its import and export routes.

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