Africa’s efforts to export value-added products: too little, too slow

While Africa has made progress in upgrading its export basket in recent years, further progress is needed to produce more complex, value-added goods, to enhance export stability and diversification.

Over the past decade, Africa’s exports have grown, yet diversification has slightly regressed. A decade ago (2010-2013), the number of products exported with a value exceeding USD 1 million at the HS4-digit level was 1,101 on average. However, this number gradually declined in subsequent years. A decade later (by 2023), the figure stood at 1078, reflecting a slight narrowing of its export base.

Despite incremental improvements in the sophistication of its main exports, Africa’s overall export complexity remains low. A decade earlier, crude petroleum accounted for over half of the continent’s export basket. By 2023, the export mix will have broadened to include non-crude oils, petroleum gas, gold, copper, and iron ores, with mining products playing a significant role in driving export growth. However, these goods remain of low complexity, and the overall level of export sophistication has seen little advancement.

The 3D interactive chart, Africa’s Export Diversification, visualises Africa’s performance in export diversification and sophistication. It highlights the decreasing number of HS 4-digit products surpassing $1 million over the years, while also illustrating rising export values (blue bubbles) and the slight increase in weighted average product complexity.

Africa can elevate its position in global trade, moving beyond a reliance on low-complexity exports toward a more diversified and sophisticated export portfolio. For that Africa must prioritise the development of value-added manufacturing and the creation of regional value chains.