My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Hosea 4:6

A significant constraint for African exporters is a lack of information on markets, opportunities, and trading partners, according to the Africa CEO Trade Survey Report 2022.

This came from the question: What key constraints have prevented you from exporting to other African countries?

According to the report, these findings highlight a significant information gap, especially in light of the revelation that most CEOs do not know where or how to access African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) information.

“This is a problem that receives little attention, but it should be relatively simple to address using web-based platforms. The AfCFTA Secretariat can provide some information online, and there is clearly room for matchmaking services for potential trading partners,” reads part of the report on these challenges.

Customs delays and inadequate transportation and logistics infrastructure were also mentioned as major factors by participants in the Pan-African private sector trade and investment committee (PAFTRAC) survey.

Interestingly, many CEOs are unsure where and how to obtain AfCFTA information, which is consistent with the findings of the 2021 survey.

The same as last year, an incredible 62 per cent said they did not know where or how to access useful information, indicating the need for more efforts to be put into providing the required information.