Africa generated $689.2 billion in merchandise exports in 2025, growing 9.7% — the fastest rate outside Asia. Yet that figure represents just 2.6% of global merchandise trade.
South Africa led the continent with $116.4 billion (16.9% of Africa's total), followed by Nigeria ($55.5b) and Egypt ($51.4b).
The top 15 economies accounted for 79.3% of all African exports, leaving 39 countries to share the remaining 20.7%.
