African Executives Reported Rising Cross-Border Trade Intent
As trade growth outlooks increase, operators must navigate significant financing hurdles and limited awareness of new settlement tools.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in International Trade
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Do you believe increased regional trade integration will lead to a better economy in your country?
The 2026 PAFTRAC Africa CEO Trade Survey, which surveyed over 2,500 executives, found that 81.3 percent expect cross-border trade to expand over the next twelve months. Preliminary results were presented at the WTO Public Forum in Geneva on 16 September 2026.
Why it matters
Expansion plans are currently constrained by a $331 billion SME financing gap and $31 billion in annual excess trade credit premiums. Furthermore, over half of executives remain unfamiliar with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, complicating the execution of trade strategy.
The 2026 survey grew to over 2,500 respondents, compared to 400 in 2021. Currently, 57 percent of surveyed executives report that trade finance access remains difficult to secure.
The players
PAFTRAC
The Pan-African Private Sector Trade and Investment Committee represents business interests in trade policy advocacy.
WTO
The World Trade Organization is the intergovernmental body governing international trade regulation and negotiation.
The details
While 70.2 percent of respondents report a tangible operational impact from AfCFTA-related reforms, the high cost of credit continues to serve as a major barrier to market entry. Businesses must contend with these systemic financing barriers while navigating a landscape where the primary target destination for regional commerce is increasingly intra-African. Operational success remains hampered by low awareness of existing payment settlement infrastructure that is intended to facilitate these exact flows.
Timeline
16 September 2026: Preliminary results were presented in Geneva.
October 2026: The full survey report will be published.
Market Landscape
This development marks a critical checkpoint in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It highlights a divergence between high operational reform adoption and the persistent structural financial barriers facing the region.
Operators looking to expand within Africa should evaluate their exposure to trade credit premiums and assess if they can leverage the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System. Accountants and finance leads should monitor the publication of the full report in October for specific liquidity forecasts.
The takeaway
The rise in cross-border trade intent among African executives underscores a significant shift toward regional market integration. Leaders should prioritize evaluating current credit risk costs and audit their awareness of settlement tools to avoid being sidelined as regional trade barriers lower.
What happens next
The full 2026 PAFTRAC Africa CEO Trade Survey Report is scheduled for publication in October 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in cross-border commerce, explore our latest International Trade coverage.
More information
To view upcoming data and details, visit the registration for full report launch webinar.
Live Poll
Do you believe increased regional trade integration will lead to a better economy in your country?
