The disruption to global value chains that started during the Covid 19 pandemic has been accelerated by the shockwaves sent by Trump tariffs. This makes a united Africa not just a political but also an economic priority. While the policy framework of the AfCFTA is providing the platform for African economic unification, there is so much work to do on the ground to ensure that borders thin, economies diversify to take advantage of the African market and that growth in trade is inclusive.
This blog highlights a few of the programmes Imani Development has been working on that offer reflections on what needs to be done for “Made in Africa” to deliver sustainable development.
GROWING REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS
Futures Report 2021: “Which Value Chains for a Made in Africa Revolution”
Published jointly by UNDP and the African Union’s AfCFTA Secretariat, this continent‑wide report identifies ten priority value chains to drive intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. Imani Development’s senior trade and regional integration expert, Dr Nicholas Charalambides was responsible for drafting the report’s anchor chapter on regional value chains.
The chapter assesses concrete opportunities resulting from tariff and services offers that have been exchanged amongst AfCFTA State Parties and identifies ten value chains that can contribute to “A Made in Africa” revolution. Value chains identified include Automotives; Leather and Leather Products, Cocoa; Soya; Textiles and Apparel; Pharmaceuticals; Vaccine Manufacturing; Lithium – Ion Batteries; Mobile Financial Services; and Cultural and Creative Industries.
The objective behind this work is to assist governments in targeting sectors that hold opportunities for their nations and facilitating collaboration among RECs to develop regional value chains in these sectors, to seize AfCFTA opportunities.
Read more from the final report; Which Value Chains for a Made in Africa Revolution.
FACILITATING TRADE FOR ALL
Enhancing Trade Facilitation in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices for Economic Growth and Regional Integration (2024)
This baseline study commissioned by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and authored by Imani Development, identifies trade barriers hindering the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), best practices for reducing non tariff barriers, harmonizing customs procedures, and boosting digital trade under the AfCFTA.
Under this project Imani produced two policy briefs namely;
• Overcoming Trade Facilitation Barriers for MSMEs, which outlined key challenges such as burdensome Rules of Origin (RoO), compliance costs, and certification requirements.
• Overcoming Trade Facilitation Challenges for Policymakers, which provided recommendations for enhancing inter-agency coordination, digitalizing customs procedures, and reducing trade costs.
Read more from the final report; Enhancing Trade Facilitation in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices for Economic Growth and Regional Integration.
Malawi Coordinated Border Management Support (2023)
With support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), under the Malawi Trade Project, the Government of Malawi embarked on a program of reform and modernization of its border management systems.
Imani Development was commissioned to provide guidance and project management support to Malawi’s Ministry of Trade to plan and operationalise a pilot Coordinated Border Management (CBM) operating model at Mwanza Border.
One of the key components of this project was to reduce the number of agencies involved at Mwanza border. Cross-border regulatory agencies will be reduced from 13 to 6 in a bid to increase operational efficiency, security and streamlined movement of people and transportation of goods across the border. The CBM framework will be rolled out to all ports-of-entry and exit in Malawi after the Mwanza pilot.
FACILITATING INCLUSIVE TRADE
Review of Existing Schemes to Facilitate the Cross-Border Movement of Traders in the COMESA Region (2021)
This joint IOM/COMESA study, commissioned under the EU-funded COMESA Cross-Border Trade Initiative, reviewed existing policies and mechanisms within the region, designed to facilitate cross border trade for small scale traders. Imani Development led the study, reviewing mobility/trade facilitation instruments (Simplified Trade Regime, COMESA Green Pass, Trade Information Desks) for small-scale cross-border traders across 21 COMESA countries.
The objective was to take stock of the different mobility schemes, mechanisms, and frameworks that facilitate the movement of traders within the region and its neighbours, considering the difference between the intention (in writing) and practical use (the trader’s experience). The final report; Review of Existing Schemes to Facilitate the Cross-border Movement of Traders in the COMESA Region, provides recommendations on enhanced design and effective implementation of trade-mobility facilitation instruments for small-scale cross border traders in the region.
MSMEs, Value Chains and Trade Development in Southern Africa (2023)
This UNECA funded assignment sought to understand the challenges and opportunities that MSMEs face in growing their participation in national, regional and global value chains. It prioritized cases where innovation and tech has facilitated increased participation and utilisation of preferential and global trade agreements (SADC, COMESA, AfCFTA by MSMEs.
The objective was to strengthen capacities of MSMEs in Southern Africa, focusing on how they can leverage innovative approaches to address competitiveness challenges during and after adverse shocks like the COVID pandemic. The final report prepared by Imani, provides case studies of high growth SMEs from Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, policy gap and recommendations.
Read more from the final report; MSMEs, value chains and trade development in Southern Africa.
DIVERSIFICATION THROUGH INVESTMENT
Policy for Establishing a Viable SME Business Ecosystem in Africa (2023)
This joint African Union/Africa Economic Zones policy report on integrating SMEs into Special Economic Zones and broader value chains was led by Imani’s Dr. Sid Boubekeur. Prepared under the AU’s SME Strategy and funded by AFD/Expertise France this policy paper lays out six “building blocks” (high‐growth sectors, infrastructure, local linkages, finance, skills, ESG) for SME growth.
Imani Development was commissioned to design a policy document that would provide an action plan to governments, RECs and Member States on how to create dynamic SME business ecosystems in Africa. The policy document provides recommendations on how SMEs could benefit from the opportunities offered by regional and continental trade protocol agreements, in particular the AfCFTA, to accelerate the delivery of Agenda 2063 aspirations.
Specifically, this project assessed government policies towards SME development, infrastructure dedicated to increasing investment, and opportunities for subcontracting and outsourcing activities from large companies to SMEs in Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It analysed the governance structures and regulations of SEZs and provided recommendations and an action plan for boosting business linkages between SEZs companies and local SMEs.
Read more from the policy paper, Policy for the Establishment of a Viable SME Business Ecosystem in Africa.
Conclusion
As we commemorate Africa Day, we are reminded of GIZ’s Trade Policy Advisor Mr Mishael Wambua’s remarks at the recent tralac 2025 Annual Conference. He emphasised the importance of African integration amidst growing global trade fragmentation. He urged African countries to proactively shape their role in the evolving global trade landscape through deeper integration and stronger institutions.
About Mirabel
Mirabel Bausinger is the Managing Director of Imani Development, leading the strategic and operational direction of the group and its subsidiary in South Africa. A Senior Economic Development Consultant with over twenty years’ experience, she has worked extensively on regional integration, trade and private sector development across East and Southern Africa. She currently functions as lead for Imani Development on two EU funded agriculture challenge funds in MSME-targeted grant finance in Kenya and Zambia.