Intra-African trade in local produce

Abstract

Most parts of Africa have known an intense commercial activity in locally produced foodstuffs, raw materials and handicrafts. This interchange of local produce was mainly the result of contrasting natural conditions, for instance in the case of trade between the forest belt and the savanna area, but there has also been frequently a conscious effort of specialization in activities as drying and smoking of fish, growing onions or making baskets. Traders were generally accompanying their goods in lorries or on the hoof and tried to buy something in exchange even if it was not a straight barter operation. The political reason is the assertion of sovereignty by a grate number of new status that previously belonged to colonial federations and custom unions. The technical reason is linked with the establishment of inland customs boundaries by most African countries.