Several Sub-Saharan African economies are becoming more integrated into global trade and investment networks, even as geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies reshape the global economic landscape, according to the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026.
- •The report finds that the overall level of global connectedness remained at 25% in 2025, matching the record level first reached in 2022.
- •The index measures cross-border flows of trade, capital, information, and people across 180 economies.
- •For Sub-Saharan Africa, the gradual improvements in connectedness point to growing participation in global markets, even as many countries in the region still face structural constraints that limit deeper integration.
“As supply chains across the globe continue to develop and trade routes expand into new territories, connectedness is emerging as a key differentiator for businesses and nations alike,” Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said.
Heymans added that countries strengthening their global links are becoming more visible in international trade networks, noting that the trend reflects a broader shift in how Africa is positioned in the global economy.
“Africa is increasingly shifting from a narrative of aid to one of trade, a transformation powered by stronger integration, rising competitiveness, and improved access to global markets," he added.
Several African economies have recorded some of the largest improvements in international connectivity with stronger participation in global supply chains, rising investment flows, and increasing cross-border mobility.
Among the standout performers is Namibia, which ranks among the countries with the largest gains in global connectedness since 2001. Mozambique has also posted significant long-term improvements, while Nigeria and Zambia are among the countries that have seen the strongest increases since 2022.
Despite these gains, the report shows that the region still trails many other parts of the world in overall integration. In the latest global rankings, Seychelles is the highest-placed Sub-Saharan African country at 40th, followed by South Africa at 53rd and Mauritius at 65th. Other countries appearing higher in the ranking include Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Kenya, which places 119th globally.
The findings suggest that although the region’s overall connectedness remains relatively low compared with global leaders, several economies are gradually expanding their participation in international trade and investment flows.
Beyond trade and capital flows, the report notes that global people mobility has largely recovered from the sharp decline during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism has been a key contributor to this rebound. International arrivals to Africa in 2025 were 17% higher than in 2019, marking one of the fastest recoveries among global regions.
At the global level, the report finds that international economic ties have proven more resilient than political rhetoric might suggest.
“Globalization is holding its ground- and that alone speaks volumes about its value,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “Countries and companies are not retreating behind national borders.”
The study also finds limited evidence of the world economy fragmenting into rival geopolitical blocs. Over the past decade, only a small share of global goods trade, foreign direct investment and cross-border mergers and acquisitions has shifted away from geopolitical rivals.
According to Steven A. Altman, director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern’s Center for the Future of Management, the perception of global fragmentation often exceeds reality.
“The politics and policy surrounding globalization are much more volatile than the actual flows between countries,” he said, adding that while global trade patterns shifted in 2025, the changes were smaller than those seen during previous global disruptions.
The report notes that further gains will likely depend on stronger regional connectivity, more predictable cross-border trade processes, and continued investment in infrastructure that supports international commerce.
