The Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational Inc., Jeremy Awori, has said African countries can cushion the potential economic fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs by increasing trade among themselves.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Awori noted that Trump’s tariffs will replace the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which about 30 African nations have relied on to develop export-driven industries, including textiles and apparel.

In 2023, sub-Saharan Africa exported $29 billion worth of goods to the U.S., making it the region’s fourth-largest market after China, the United Arab Emirates, and India.

According to him, while the U.S. is not Africa’s biggest trading partner, the continent’s economies could still face indirect repercussions if the tariffs lead major partners like China to reduce demand for African exports.

Awori pointed out that the trade tensions reinforced the urgency for African nations to fast-track the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into effect in October 2022.

The World Bank estimates that the agreement could boost African exports by $560 billion. However, progress has been slow due to ongoing negotiations on critical terms.

Intra-African trade grew by 3.2% to $192 billion in 2023, but this still accounted for only 15% of the continent’s total trade.

Awori emphasized that beyond tariff reductions, Africa must address non-tariff barriers such as restrictive visa policies and logistical challenges faced by landlocked countries.