Every entry published by African Ledger, newest first. Two essays and three policy briefs a month, for trade practitioners, policymakers and AfCFTA scholars.
Ethiopia is moving from a development model centred on public investment and state direction towards a more market-oriented economic framework. The central issue is whether this transition can deepen the…
In May 2026, Kenya amended its Special Economic Zones framework. The amendment was presented as part of efforts to strengthen the investment environment and improve the competitiveness of the country’s…
On 2 September 2026, President William Ruto directed the Kenyan government to crack down on foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses. The directive followed complaints from Kenyan traders who argued that…
Development? Development cannot simply be reduced to economic growth alone. Growth tells us that an economy has become larger. It does not, by itself, tell us what changed in the…
Institutions now tell African governments to subsidise industry. But the AfCFTA never defines a subsidy, bans no category, sets no test for harm, and makes nobody declare what they pay.…
African states are banning unprocessed mineral exports to force value addition at home. The objective is sound. The instrument is caught by AfCFTA article 9 and GATT article XI:1, and…
The consensus, and where it stops being useful The settled answer to the question of what drives economic development is incomplete in Africa. On the standard account, growth requires two…