Thursday February 12, 2026 Introduction: When Momentum Masks Vulnerability Our previous article demonstrated that Africa’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) exports are growing in parts of the continent. Certain countries, products, and corridors show clear momentum. On the surface, this…
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026 Introduction: Why Growth Rates Matter More Than Rankings In discussions about Africa’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) sector, rankings tend to dominate the narrative. Lists of top exporters or largest producers are frequently used as shorthand…
Climate change is already severely disrupting global agrifood systems, threatening food security, livelihoods, ecosystems, and economic stability, especially in developing countries. This joint FAO–UNDP report analyses National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) from 64 developing countries submitted between 2010 and June 2025…
The Global Investment Trends Monitor provides an up-to-date snapshot of global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, highlighting how investment patterns are evolving amid economic uncertainty, geopolitical fragmentation, and shifting industrial priorities. The report shows that global investment remains under pressure.…
Tuesday February 03, 2026 Introduction: Why CTA Trade Flow Benchmarks Matter Cotton, textiles, and apparel (CTA) are system sectors that form the intersection of agriculture, manufacturing, employment, logistics, sustainability, and regional integration. Few value chains offer Africa the same combination…
The UNCTAD Global Trade Update (January 2026) highlights a global trading system under growing strain, shaped by slowing economic growth, geopolitical fragmentation, rising protectionism, and accelerating structural change. Global GDP growth is expected to remain subdued in 2026, weakening trade…
The Global Value Chain Development Report 2025 provides a timely and in-depth analysis of how global value chains (GVCs) are being reshaped by overlapping economic, technological, environmental, and geopolitical forces. Contrary to narratives of deglobalization, the report shows that GVCs…
This joint publication by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Bank explores how good regulatory practices (GRPs) can reduce the high costs associated with global services trade and unlock significant economic opportunities for countries at all income levels.…
The IMF Annual Report 2025 presents a comprehensive assessment of the global economic landscape marked by exceptional uncertainty, driven by rising geopolitical tensions, policy divergence, AI-driven technological shifts, climate-related shocks, and structural changes in international trade. Despite global resilience in…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released a comprehensive Training Facilitation Guide on Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence (hHRDD) to support companies operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs). As global standards evolve and expectations on corporate conduct increase,…