THE ROLE OF MULTILATERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND EXPORT CREDIT AGENCIES IN BRIDGING TRADE FINANCING GAPS IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA)

Dila Kabir Gwamada

doi:10.5281/zenodo.20305933

Dila Kabir Gwamada The Institute of International Trade and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20305933

Keywords: Multilateral Financial Institutions (MFIs), Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), Trade Financing, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Intra-African Trade.

Abstract

The paper objective seeks to explore roles of multilateral financial institutions (MFIs) and export credit agencies (ECAs) in bridging trade financing gaps in the AfCFTA. In order to achieve the objective, data were obtained from secondary sources which include publications, reports, AfCFTA documents and other literature on the subject which were analysed using systematic content analysis. This study reveals that multilateral financial institutions play a crucial role in closing the financing gap. They carry out this by offering numerous financial products like sovereign loans to governments, non-sovereign loans to private organizations or firms and guarantees that reduce risk for private investors. This study reveals that MFIs and ECAs in the AfCFTA have increased intra-Africa trade volume which is an indication that they have partially bridged trade financing gaps in Africa. This study concludes that AfCFTA presents a unique opportunity for MFIs and ECAs to address Africa’s trade finance gap and have unleashed the continent’s full trade and economic potential. MFIs and ECAs should therefore embrace innovation in financing trade infrastructure such as through a surge in green bonds, climate finance and digital financial tools. These open up fresh opportunities to close trade financing gaps while aligning with global sustainability goals in trade. By adopting them MFIs and ECAs can access new capital sources and support trade infrastructure projects that are both economically sound and environmentally friendly.

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