Africa’s trade deficit in perishable goods is widening, as there is just not enough trade taking place on the continent, according to Dominique Njinkeu, a lead trade facilitation specialist with The World Bank. “The trade deficit has widened from $500 million in 1990 to an expected $6000 million this year. There is just not enough trade taking place within Africa despite the abundant opportunities that exist,” he said recently. And massive logistical challenges compound the problem, he added. “Only 5% of Africa’s imports of cereals are provided by African farmers because of the barriers in getting the goods to cities, while Africa’s share of global markets in perishable agricultural goods has been falling over the past 40 years.”
