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Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Afreximbank’s 2026 TRADAR Club Newsletter, your trusted source of intelligence on Africa trade.
Whether you are a seasoned trade professional, a business leader navigating international markets, or simply interested in the dynamics of Africa’s economy, this publication is designed for you. Produced by Afreximbank’s Trade Intelligence Solutions, each edition will examine the latest trends, policies, and developments shaping the African trade and investment landscape. Our mission is to deliver rigorous insights, analysis, and data that cut through the noise, providing clarity and actionable intelligence to support your business decisions.
IN THIS ISSUE
1 AFRICAN BUSINESS AND TRADE CLIMATE
“Spotlight on Central Africa”
Cameroon
Free access in March 2026 (login required)
Cameroon’s business environment continues to improve, with efforts to attract both local and foreign investment and expand partnerships with key international actors. Relations with China remain central to this approach. In September 2024, the presidents of Cameroon and China announced they would work to elevate bilateral ties to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’,
the highest tier of Chinese bilateral relations, indicating cooperation in multiple areas (economic, political, military and technological). China has already funded and built substantial infrastructure projects, including the Kribi Deep Seaport, the Memve’ele hydroelectric dam and the Yaoundé–Douala motorway. Cameroon’s position along major trans-African corridors continues to attract investment in transport and logistics, supporting its emergence as a regional trade hub. Infrastructure upgrades around Douala and Kribi are expanding handling capacity and improving multi-modal links. In July 2025, India-based ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms began construction of a major industrial zone near Douala, with the first phase delivering a 100-hectare logistics area at a cost of CFA160 billion. Exports of chemical, industrial and fuel products reached USD3.4 billion in 2024, driven mainly by oil. Cameroon relies heavily on imports of consumer and capital goods, and demand is likely to increase as domestic conditions improve and investment activity strengthens.
(Cameroon Country Profile – 2026)
Democratic Republic of Congo
The DRC’s business environment is improving gradually as the government advances administrative and public financial management reforms. Under the World Bank’s 2025 Development Policy Financing (DPF) programme, policy measures published in May 2025 include steps to strengthen procurement and expenditure management and improve the oversight of state-owned enterprises. These reforms aim to enhance transparency and reduce
administrative bottlenecks to help to create more-predictable operating conditions for firms outside the extractives sector. Furthermore, ongoing IMF engagement is supporting policy credibility and signalling continued commitment to macroeconomic stability. In November 2025, the authorities reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on the second review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the first review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). In Janurary 2026, approximately USD260 million was approved under the ECF. The agreed reforms focus on procurement, oversight of state-owned enterprises, revenue mobilisation and climate-related fiscal planning. Copper mining is the DRC’s dominant export earner. Strong global copper prices and rising output from projects such as Kamoa-Kakula will continue to support export performance. Large-scale energy and transport projects will raise import demand over the coming years. Given the DRC’s reliance on imported goods and services, this will include higher imports of capital equipment and services linked to project delivery.
(Democratic Republic of Congo Country Profile – 2026)
Congo - Brazzaville
The country’s business environment is developing, as the government strengthens administrative systems and public financial management. Recent measures highlighted by development partners include efforts to enhance treasury operations, improve debt oversight and expand the use of electronic reporting for corporate accounts under the 2025 Finance Law. Regional cooperation through the Communauté Économique des États de l’Afrique
Centrale (CEEAC), and the Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l’Afrique Centrale (CEMAC), remains central to Congo-Brazzaville’s business environment. These frameworks support currency stability, customs coordination and cross-border security arrangements that facilitate trade and underpin investor confidence. They also help to sustain energy corridors and provide platforms for collective approaches to issues such as logistics and rules of origin, which are important for monetising the economy’s hydrocarbon and mineral resources and attracting project finance. Oil accounts for around 90% of exports, with gas playing an increasingly important role as LNG projects are commissioned. The government launched a Licensing Round in March 2025 to promote onshore acreage and attract upstream investment, offering support to hydrocarbons exports over the longer term. Imports of machinery and complex manufactured products totalled USD2 billion in 2024, making it by far the largest import category in value terms.
