Over the years, the European Union and Africa have fostered a strong trade partnership, with the EU emerging as Africa’s foremost trading ally. IMF data reveals that the EU contributes 26% of the total import value into African countries, surpassing China at 16% and intra-African imports at 15% between 2018 and 2020.
Notably, Africa primarily exports raw materials to Europe, while Europe reciprocates by exporting manufactured goods.
Let’s explore key statistics:
- France is the highest EU exporter to Africa with over EUR 23 billion worth of goods and services in 2021
- EU goods exports to Northern Africa increased from EUR 60 billion in 2008 to EUR 78 billion in 2018, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.
- In 2021, 68% of the EU’s exports to Africa comprised manufactured goods.
- Primary goods, including food, drink, raw materials, and energy, constituted 65% of the EU’s imports from Africa in 2021.
- In 2021, Northern Africa emerged as the primary trade partner for goods with the EU among African regions.
- Among the five African regions, Eastern Africa experienced the highest export growth rate at 4.2%. Western Africa followed with a growth rate of 3.3%, while Southern Africa and Middle Africa had rates of 1.6% and -1.9%, respectively, indicating a decline in goods exports for Middle Africa.
Top EU Exports to Africa
Based on data from Eurostat, EU exports to Africa are classified into three major sub-groups:
- Primary Goods – Food and Drinks, Raw Materials and Energy
- Manufactured Goods – Chemicals, Machinery and Vehicles, Other manufactured goods
- Other goods
Going by the UN subdivision of Africa, below is the Regional distribution of EU exports to Africa
| REGION | EU EXPORTS |
Northern Africa | Foodstuffs and cereals, Machinery, Pharmaceutical products, Chemicals, and other manufactured goods. |
| Southern Africa | Machinery, Transport Equipments, Chemicals and other semi-machinery items |
| Middle Africa | Machinery and Mechanical Appliances, Equipment, Vehicles, Foodstuffs, and Pharmaceutical products. |
| Western Africa | Fuels, Food products, Machinery, Chemicals, and Pharmaceutical products. |
| Eastern Africa | Machinery and Mechanical Appliances, Equipment and Parts, Vehicles, and Pharmaceutical products. |
Manufactured goods are the most prominent in EU exports to Africa.
Between 2011 and 2021, the proportion of manufactured goods in EU exports to Africa decreased from 72% to 68%, with a simultaneous increase in the share of primary goods from 27% to 31%. This shift was primarily driven by a decline in the machinery and vehicles category, dropping from 38% in 2011 to 32% in 2021, while the share of chemicals increased during the same period.
Northern Africa stands as Europe’s primary trade partner in Goods.
Africa has been divided by the UN into five regions: Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and Middle Africa. Among these, Northern Africa stands out as the primary trade partner with Europe. Eurostat data reveals that EU goods exports to Northern Africa increased from €59 billion in 2011 to €76 billion in 2021, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.
The most significant growth rates were observed in Eastern Africa (2.7%), followed by Western Africa (1.9%) and Southern Africa (0.2%). Notably, exports to Middle Africa experienced a decline of -3.3% during this period. However, exports to all regions witnessed an overall increase from 2020 to 2021.
EU Member States’ Goods Exports and Imports with Africa
The EU, comprising 27 member states, showcased diverse trade interactions with Africa based on 2021 Eurostat data. Primary food exporters to Africa were France (€24 billion), Germany (€23 billion), Spain, and Italy (both €18 billion), alongside the Netherlands (€17 billion) and Belgium (€16 billion). Conversely, Portugal (19.9%), Cyprus (19.5%), and Malta (18.2%) demonstrated the highest proportions of exports to Africa relative to their total exports beyond the EU.
Similarly, the leading importers of African goods in 2021 mirrored the primary exporters but in a different sequence. Spain led with €28 billion, followed by Italy and France (both €24 billion), Germany (€21 billion), the Netherlands (€17 billion), and Belgium (€10 billion). Spain (17.2%), Portugal (13.2%), Italy (12.2%), France (11.7%), and Greece (11.4%) boasted the highest shares of imports from Africa in their total extra-EU imports.
In 2021, 21 EU member states achieved a trade surplus with Africa, with Belgium leading at €6 billion. Other states with surpluses exceeding €1 billion included Sweden, Germany, Czechia, Romania, Poland, and Ireland. Notably, Italy (€6 billion) and Spain (€9 billion) faced the largest trade deficits with Africa among EU member states.
What is the future of the EU-African Trade?
Amid the pursuit of the “UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the European Parliament emphasizes the pivotal role of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 in guiding and assessing EU-Africa cooperation. This includes evaluating how trade and investment can contribute to poverty alleviation.
Despite the European Union (EU) maintaining its position as the primary market for African goods and the leading source of African imports, China has become the dominant individual country trading partner in some African regions, notably Sub-Sahara Africa, surpassing Europe over the past two decades.
Nevertheless, Northern Africa remains the EU’s primary trade partner in goods among African regions as of 2021, indicating the continued significance of the EU-Africa trade relationship. This partnership extends to niche, higher-value products, emphasizing the potential for value addition and sustainability promotion.
