As World Trade Organization members prepare to meet in Nairobi, Kenya for their 2015 Ministerial, trade and industry will be at the top of the agenda—particularly among representatives of Africa's rapidly growing economies.  

Africa is home to thirty-three of the world’s least developed countries and accounted for only 3 percent of global trade in 2014. But increased trade could transform the continent, and African nations that have implemented reforms supporting the free movement of goods, capital, and people have reaped a substantial development dividend and are ranked among the fastest growing economies in the world. 

The recent plummet of global demand for commodities, along with China’s significantly slowing growth, will test the progress that successful but resource-driven African entities have achieved and especially challenge those that have relied on a small range of products and partners.  
   
A new study, authored by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby, examines the current state of trade in Africa, identifies obstacles hindering economic diversification and growth, addresses the economic and geopolitical implications of the global collapse of commodity demand and China’s recent slowdown, as well as how regional trade agreements and regional economic communities offer better opportunities for African economies to unlock growth.  
 

This event is on-the-record and open for press coverage; members of the media should contact press@AtlanticCouncil.org to register.

For more information, please visit AtlanticCouncil.org, follow us on Twitter @ACAfricaCenter, or contact us at africa@atlanticcouncil.org.