非洲陆连经济体：通向繁荣与发展的路径

Africa’s Land-Linked Economies:Pathways to Prosperity and Development Acknowledgements The United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Africa is deeplygrateful to everyone who contributed to this position paper. The paper was prepared under the leadership and guidance of Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNAssistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Director of the RegionalBureau for Africa. She was supported by Dr. Matthias Naab, Director of the RegionalService Centre for Africa. The technical leadership was provided by Komi Tsowou andstrategic guidance by Rania Hadra to the core team of economists and trade experts whoprovided significant inputs into the paper including Usman Iftikhar, Wiliam Asiedu andHebron Girma. Reviews by UNDP colleagues Elda Chirwa, Ify Ogo and Alex Warren-Rodriguez were appreciated. Special recognition to UNDP Resident Representatives and economists from AfricanLLDCs for the useful comments and feedback. Acronyms 1.Introduction 1.1.From land-locked and limited to land-linked and brimming with promise Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) were traditionally perceived as experiencingsignificant logistical and economic challenges due to their geographies. This narrative isshifting in a profound way across Africa, rewriting the story from one of geographiclimitation to strategic advantage. African LLDCs are increasingly defined by what theyuniquely offer: strategic centrality and vibrant connections that drive regional and globaleconomic dynamism. Malawi's recent National Export Strategy (2021–2026) boldlyproclaims its identity as a "land-linked" nation, explicitly signalling a new era ofconnectivity-driven growth.1This evolution from "landlocked" to "land-linked developingeconomies (LLDEs)" is reshaping development trajectories, unlocking transformativeopportunities and repositioning these nations at the heart of Africa's socio-economicresurgence. This shift aligns with the transformative aspirations of the Awaza Programmeof Action (APoA) for LLDCs (2024–2034),2emphasizing regional economic dynamism andtrade facilitation, diversification and inclusive prosperity. Several concrete examples vividly illustrate the LLDEs narrative. Rwanda’s 130,000-hectare Kigali Logistics Platform is becoming a bustling regional hub, connecting Uganda,the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi with coastal economies of Kenya andTanzania.3Uganda, with its rapidly expanding road and rail upgrades under the StandardGauge Railway initiative and the revitalized Malaba–Kampala logistics corridor, ispositioning itself as the heart of East Africa’s inland trade. Ethiopia facilitates crucial traderoutes from South Sudan to Djibouti and leverages its national airline, emerging as a vitalglobal air transport connector that bridges Africa with international markets. Meanwhile,Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe anchor the pivotal North-South corridor, linkingSouth Africa to the broader Southern, Central and East African markets. 1.2.Why this matters now Today’s global landscape is being reshaped by unprecedented digital transformation andrapid regional integration. In Africa, these trends are magnified by ambitious integrationframeworks, notably the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Digitalization isrevolutionizing traditional logistical and economic barriers, enabling LLDCs to engagedynamically in continental and global markets through digital trade platforms, fintechinnovations and sophisticated logistics systems. Concurrently, the AfCFTA is already reducing trade barriers, unlocking vast opportunitiesfor LLDCs to actively participate in and benefit from intra-African and global trade.Bolstered by substantial infrastructure investments and reinforced regional cooperation,this transformative moment urgently calls for the African LLDC narrative to be redefined.The alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030 and those of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 further underscores the importance of this shift,positioning African LLDCs as central actors in Africa’s sustainable and inclusive economicfuture. 1.3.Objective of the paper This position paper explores transformative pathways for African LLDCs, emphasizingopportunities presented by enhanced connectivity, deeper regional integration, innovationand resilience. It identifies strategic policy reforms crucial for transitioning these nationsfrom economic isolation to global economic integration. Through concrete examples andpractical insights, the paper sets forth a clear and actionable policy framework for theemergence of "African Land-Linked Developing Economies (LLDEs)", positioning thesenations as vibrant and central contributors to Africa’s sustainable and inclusive growth. The following section provides an overview of the recent economic performance ofAfrican LLDCs and examines their integration into regional and global markets. Section 3provides brief analysis of key features of connectivity