TRADE BARRIERS TOP CONCERN FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADERS – BLOOMBERG FDI OUTLOOK

Trade Barriers Top Concern for Sub-Saharan African Business Leaders, Bloomberg FDI Outlook Finds

Date: Jul 21, 2025
By: News Service

In the latest Global Foreign Direct Investment Outlook by Bloomberg Media, trade barriers have emerged as the top concern among business leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights that despite growing interest in investing in Africa, persistent structural challenges continue to hinder business expansion and cross-border trade.

According to the findings, corruption, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory hurdles rank closely behind trade restrictions as major obstacles to growth in the region. These barriers have contributed to Sub-Saharan Africa receiving only around 5% of global cumulative FDI flows since 2005, underscoring the need for urgent policy reforms.

However, the report also paints a hopeful picture: 90% of investors still express strong interest in expanding into Sub-Saharan Africa, signaling that the region remains a key frontier for global investment—provided that trade and investment conditions improve.

The findings support the ongoing push for deeper integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as countries look inward to reduce reliance on international markets and strengthen intra-African trade.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://economist.com.na/99179/trade-barriers-top-concern-for-sub-saharan-african-business-leaders-bloomberg-fdi-outlook/