A decade on from the Arab spring, local issues and world events are again bringing dissent onto the streets.
The Arab spring had many causes, including food shortages. A concern which is arising again from pressures on the international market, due to the war in Ukraine, one of the world’s largest exporters of staple foods.
Algeria have banned the export of oil, pasta, semolina and wheat, other countries in North Africa are gradually following suit. This may make a difference, although they are essentially importers of foodstuffs and remain at risk.
South Africa has seen protests return against foreign workers after a long lapse. Reasons are given, such as migrants being employed below the minimum wage but the underlying cause is again economic uncertainty.
War in a key country has added to existing issues, from Covid, to supply chain problems, to climate change and the movement of people.
Why We Should Care
For people in Ukraine and those impacted elsewhere, we should care because we are human and if we stop being concerned for each other, we lose our humanity.
There are also economic reasons, when a number of African countries were moving forward, the three mentioned above are all ATA carnet members. The UK has also seen trade with Africa increase in recent years.
A continent which receives less than 3% of our exports but after Brexit, the UK needs to build new trading partnerships and Africa is an opportunity. The UK government have been promoting the link and rolling over EU treaties with many African countries.
Africa’s efforts to establish a continent wide free trade area (AfCFTA) is helping them to look forward. UK businesses can invest in and help to create clean energy supplies, or digital networks and support a range of infrastructure projects.
Potential Benefits
Jobs and business opportunities can be created for both sides. The raw materials Africa exports en masse can be processed to a greater extent within the continent, without a loss to partners who profit in other ways.
Either through an extension of EU terms, or new agreements, UK trade with Africa will remain viable. Temporary exports will be part of this and ATA carnets for Africa cover a number of the most developed countries.
They are part of a continent with a population of 1.4 billion and a hunger to grow. If we can assist with the opportunities this presents for UK business, please get in touch with our team at any time.