Addis Ababa, 7 August 2025 - Long perceived as geographically disadvantaged, Africa’s Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are now emerging as strategic “land-linked” economies. By leveraging their central location, expanding regional connectivity, and embracing transformative technologies, these nations are becoming pivotal drivers of trade, innovation, and integration. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining momentum, LLDCs are repositioning themselves at the heart of Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

A new position paper by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africa’s Land-Linked Economies: Pathways to Prosperity and Development, explores the new narrative for African LLDCs. It presents practical insights and vivid examples that illustrate how AfCFTA and digitalisation are revolutionising traditional logistical and economic barriers—unlocking vast opportunities for regional and global trade. The paper introduces a clear and actionable policy framework for the emergence of “African Land-Linked Developing Economies (LLDEs),” positioning these nations as vibrant contributors to Africa’s sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Africa’s land-linked economies are transforming their geographic positioning into a strategic asset. To unlock their full potential, we must mobilise diverse financing, shift from low-value sectors, and harness technology to strengthen trade corridors—turning these nations into engines of intra-African and global trade,” said Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa.

African LLDCs also contribute to global trade, with their export profiles rich in raw materials such as diamonds (Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe), copper (Zambia, Zimbabwe), gold (Burkina Faso, Mali, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic), coffee (Uganda, Ethiopia), sugar (Eswatini), and textiles (Ethiopia, Lesotho). Between 2013 and 2024, Zambia exported an average of $9.3 billion annually, followed by Botswana ($6.4 billion) and Zimbabwe ($4.5 billion). Some LLDCs, like Eswatini, are highly integrated into regional markets, with nearly 88% of exports destined for African countries. Similarly, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Niger, Uganda and Zimbabwe had exports during the same period exceeding 30 per cent, indicating a high level of integration into regional markets.

Physical infrastructure remains a cornerstone for transforming LLDCs into land-linked production and trading hubs. While transportation costs remain higher than in coastal countries, this gap presents an opportunity for strategic infrastructure investments to generate competitive advantages For instance, the Ethio-Djibouti Railway has shortened freight transit from 72 hours to 12 hours, facilitating crucial trade routes from South Sudan to Djibouti, while Uganda, with its rapidly expanding road and rail upgrades under the Standard Gauge Railway initiative and the revitalised Malaba–Kampala logistics corridor, is positioning itself as the centre of East Africa’s inland trade, as Ethiopia leverages its national airline as a key global link for Africa to more than 100 international destinations.

With enhanced innovation and digitalisation, African LLDCs are significant facilitators for greater participation in regional and Global Value Chains (GVCs) and efficient connectors of inland producers to regional and international markets. Digital services, particularly e-commerce and fintech, are helping LLDCs overcome geographic barriers. In Burkina Faso, digital payment systems are streamlining transactions between farmers and urban markets. Ethiopia is using blockchain to meet EU export standards, while Rwanda and Uganda have reduced border clearance times by up to 80 per cent through blockchain pilots.

Improved access to reliable energy is also reshaping the African LLDC economic landscape. Projects such as the Southern African Power Pool, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Mauritania-Mali transmission line, and the North Core Interconnection are redefining energy access, creating a value-add for exports and the trade-processing industries necessary for economic transformation. In the Sahel, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad benefit from solar potential exceeding 2,000 kWh/m² annually—fueling industrial growth and cross-border trade.

“Land-linked flips the narrative: inland countries become bridges, not barriers. With AfCFTA, LLDCs can turn geography into a competitive edge—moving goods, services, and data faster and more affordably across Africa and beyond,” said Dr. Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia 

This evolving narrative aligns with the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs (2024–2034), Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It marks a turning point where LLDCs are no longer viewed through the narrow lens of geographic isolation but as critical connectors in regional and global socio-economic corridors. Realising this vision will require coordinated policy reforms, strategic investments, and inclusive governance—underpinned by innovation, resilience, and sustainable financing.

Download the position paper to read in full.