Dubai Chamber of Commerce records 20% increase in value of exports to Africa

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has recorded a 20% month-on-month increase in the value of member companies’ exports to Africa in June 2020, reaching $800 million.

According to reports, the value of exports and re-exports to Africa, tracked by Certificates of Origin (COOs), issued to Dubai Chamber member companies, signaled a rebound in trade activity with Africa to average levels seen during the January-March 2020 period.

“Of the $240 million worth of members’ exports and re-exports targeting Sub-Saharan Africa in June, $138.3 million went to East Africa, $67.9 million to West Africa, $25 million to Central Africa, and $9 million to Southern Africa.

“Despite the wide disparity in value among the sub-regions, West Africa, along with Central Africa, were the main drivers of the rebound seen in June. Member exports to North Africa accounted for two-thirds of the export value to Africa for June, or $558 million, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa $240 million," according to a report by norvanreports.com.

On a regional level, the value of members’ exports to Central Africa saw the biggest m-o-m increase of 48 per cent, followed by North Africa (25%), West Africa (12%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (8.6%).

Nigeria was identified as one of the best-performing markets in the Sub-Saharan Africa during recent months. Members’ exports to Nigeria in June amounted to $30.4 million. Plastics such as ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, polyethylene in primary forms, along with plates and sheets accounted for 23 per cent of exports to this market. Machinery contributed another 15 per cent of exports, and came mainly in the form of drills, hydraulic engines, and appliances.

Angola, Dubai’s largest exports partner in the Central Africa sub-region, accounted for $9 million worth of members’ exports in June. The nature of commodities exported to the country is broad, and includes foodstuff items, such as cereal flour, palm oil, and dairy products, which are in high demand within this market.

Strong momentum observed in West and Central Africa sub-regions is likely to continue throughout the second half of 2020, as African cities continue easing movement restrictions and business activity continues returning to pre-Covid-19 levels.