US-China Trade War Straining Africa’s Economy, Warns Pan-African Manufacturers Association

The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has raised concerns about the adverse effects of the ongoing US-China trade war on Africa’s economy. PAMA highlighted how disruptions in supply chains, increased production costs, and uncertainties in export markets are severely impacting African manufacturers.

In its September bulletin, Manufacturing Global News, PAMA explained that the trade war, which began in 2018, has hindered Africa’s access to essential raw materials and machinery from China. Simultaneously, African exports to the US are facing stiff competition as American firms seek alternative markets.

As African manufacturers struggle with declining production and profitability, PAMA is urging governments to explore intra-African trade opportunities, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to mitigate the fallout of the trade war and bolster the continent’s economic resilience.