Tuesday, June 1, 2010

East and West Africa World's Apart on Trade

East and West Africa may be on the same continent, just five hours flight from each other, and with complementary economies that would make it natural enough for a high level of interaction.
But, in reality, they are virtually cut off from one another.
With a combined population of two-fifths of a billion, and well-matched resources, East and West Africa have some of the lowest trade between them of any regions in the world, according to a UN report, with just one carrier running costly and often half-empty flights between the regions, no road route, and negligible traffic between the two continental hubs.
To fly to West Africa from East Africa costs twice or thrice as much as flying from Africa to Europe, including to London, which is eight and half hours away.
As example, flying to Dakar on economy and business costs $1,281 and $4,076 on Kenya Airways and is possible on three flights a week.
Read the full article here.

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