INTRA-AFRICA TRADE BOOM PREDICTED

Trade between the countries of Africa will grow by 715% by 2050, according to the ITF Transport Outlook 2015. This is higher than the 403% predicted for intra-Asian trade. It is also higher than the global average. The report predicts that international freight transport volumes will grow more than fourfold by 2050. World road and rail freight volumes are expected to grow by between 230% and 420% by 2050 as part of a shift from sea transport. The percentage of international freight carried by road will increase from 6-10% by 2050, driven by the intra-regional trade in Asia and Africa “where efficient rail networks are underdeveloped”. Asia, including China and India, will account for over 50% of world surface freight transport – up from the present 35%.