MENA’s Export Engine Remains Concentrated in Minerals & Fuels, But Diversification Is Emerging
MENA exported nearly USD 1.3 trillion in 2025, with hydrocarbon-heavy exporters coexisting with increasingly diversified economies
MENA Trade Is Expanding, But Its Export Base Remains Energy-Heavy
The region's import mix is increasingly manufacturing-led, while its export structure remains concentrated in energy and resources.
Africa’s Industrial Leaders and Rising Manufacturing Economies
Morocco, South Africa and Egypt remain Africa’s leading industrial economies; DRC, Djibouti and Gabon recorded the largest gains in competitiveness
Africa’s Export Growth Remains Commodity-Led, with Scale Concentrated in a Handful of Economies
Exports have grown steadily since 2015, but minerals, fuels and metals still dominate, while five countries account for half of the total
Africa’s Import Demand Continues to Grow as Industrial and Consumer Markets Expand
Machinery, electronics, fuels and industrial inputs dominate Africa’s imports, and China remains the continent’s largest supplier
MENA’s Trade Growth Is Now Being Driven by Imports, Not Exports
Exports have stagnated over the past decade, while imports have risen steadily, reinforcing MENA’s demand-led growth story.
North Africa’s Manufacturing Landscape Offers Scale, Export Platforms and Specialisation
Egypt anchors domestic manufacturing scale, Morocco leads industrial export integration and Tunisia is a high-intensity specialist.
The Next Wave of Global Industrial Export Growth Is Consolidating in Key Emerging Markets
Industrial export growth is concentrated in emerging-market hubs supplying the U.S., EU and China, led by Mexico and Taiwan (China).
African Manufacturing Value Added in 2024: Real Gains and Mostly Currency-Related Losses
African manufacturing value added dropped overall in 2024, including significant currency-related decreases in Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria.