Africa: Sub-Saharan African Economies Amongst World’s Quickest-Enhancing in International Connectedness

Africa: Sub-Saharan African Economies Amongst World’s Quickest-Enhancing in International Connectedness


Based mostly on greater than 9 million knowledge factors monitoring worldwide flows of commerce, capital, info, and other people, the report provides probably the most complete view of globalisation out there.

  • International connectedness stood at 25 per cent in 2025, matching the report excessive first reached in 2022
  • Namibia ranks among the many prime three international locations globally for long-term will increase in connectedness since 2001; Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia report sturdy positive factors
  • The DHL International Connectedness Report 2026 attracts on greater than 9 million knowledge factors worldwide

Globalisation stays at a traditionally excessive degree – regardless of escalating geopolitical tensions, rising US tariffs, and unprecedented uncertainty about future commerce insurance policies. This is among the key findings of the DHL International Connectedness Report 2026 (https://Group.DHL.com), launched at the moment by DHL and New York College’s Stern College of Enterprise.


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Based mostly on greater than 9 million knowledge factors monitoring worldwide flows of commerce, capital, info, and other people, the report provides probably the most complete view of globalisation out there.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Connectedness positive factors level to rising relevance in world commerce

Towards this world backdrop, the report presents a nuanced image of Sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas ranges of connectedness differ considerably throughout the area, a number of economies are strengthening their integration into world flows, underscoring regular progress over time, and highlighting scope for additional positive factors in others.

Namibia ranks among the many international locations with the most important will increase in connectedness since 2001, with Mozambique additionally that includes among the many strongest long-run improvers. Extra not too long ago, Nigeria and Zambia are listed among the many international locations with the most important connectedness positive factors since 2022, reflecting rising momentum in commerce, funding and other people flows.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Categorical Sub-Saharan Africa, commented: “As provide chains throughout the globe proceed to develop and commerce routes develop into new territories, connectedness is rising as a key differentiator for companies and nations alike. The international locations in our area which might be strengthening their world hyperlinks have gotten extra seen in worldwide commerce networks. Whereas that is an encouraging pattern when it comes to the scope of alternatives out there, the secret is to benefit from these alternatives to drive constant and dependable commerce flows. This report additional underscores how Africa is more and more shifting from a story of support to considered one of commerce, a metamorphosis powered by stronger integration, rising competitiveness, and improved entry to world markets. To totally unlock this potential, the area wants sturdy regional connectivity, predictable cross-border processes, and companions that perceive each native circumstances and world commerce necessities. At DHL Categorical, we’re dedicated to being a catalyst for development in Africa, making certain that not solely is Africa part of world commerce however a key driver inside it.”

Past commerce and funding, the report finds that individuals flows have recovered totally from the COVID-19 collapse. In tourism, UN knowledge present that Africa recorded a 17 per cent enhance in worldwide arrivals in 2025 in contrast with 2019, the second-largest enhance amongst world areas, behind the Center East.

Within the report’s 2024 nation rating of 180 economies, South Africa ranks 53rd total. Different Sub-Saharan African international locations with comparatively increased total ranks embrace Seychelles (fortieth), Mauritius (sixty fifth), Namibia (68th), Ghana (97th), Nigeria (a hundredth), Mozambique (107th), and Kenya (119th).

Globalisation has held agency since 2022

The report tracks globalisation on a scale from 0 per cent (no cross-border flows) to 100 per cent (borders and distance don’t have any impression). The world’s degree of globalisation was 25 per cent in 2025, in keeping with the report excessive set in 2022.

“Globalisation is holding its floor – and that alone speaks volumes about its worth,” stated John Pearson, CEO of DHL Categorical. “From poverty to local weather change, the world’s greatest challenges can solely be solved by world considering. The DHL International Connectedness Report reveals that international locations and firms usually are not retreating behind nationwide borders. That’s excellent news. DHL strengthens world ties by connecting markets, companies, and other people to allow them to adapt, diversify, and unlock new alternatives – even in unsure occasions.”

On the similar time, the present degree of globalisation underlines how far the world stays from being totally globalised. In lots of areas, worldwide flows may develop additional within the absence of coverage constraints.

No world cut up into rival blocs

Even because the US. and China decouple, most international locations proceed to interact with their longstanding companions. Over the previous decade, solely 4-6 per cent of world items commerce, greenfield FDI, and cross-border M&A have shifted away from geopolitical rivals. Of those flows, most haven’t moved to shut allies however to international locations with versatile geopolitical positions, resembling India and Vietnam. Total, the world economic system stays removed from a broad cut up into rival blocs.

“The politics and coverage surrounding globalisation are far more risky than the precise flows between international locations,” stated Steven Altman, Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalisation at NYU Stern’s Middle for the Way forward for Administration. “International commerce patterns modified extra in 2025 than they do in a typical yr, however lower than they did throughout different current disruptions such because the early phases of the battle in Ukraine. Sound decision-making requires a calibrated view of how a lot world enterprise ties are actually altering. The dangers to globalisation are actual, however so is the resilience of world flows.”