Southern African Development Community - United States ...

CHAPTER 1
U.S. Trade and Investment With Sub-Saharan
Africa
U.S. Merchandise Trade 3
This chapter discusses the pattern of U.S.-SSA merchandise trade from 1999-2003, 1
and services trade from 1999-2002 (the most recent years for which services trade
data are available). The pattern of merchandise trade is presented for the SSA region
as a whole, by major trading partners, and by commodity sectors. This chapter also
discusses the pattern of foreign investment flows to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from
1999-2003 (or most recent data available). Foreign investment flows are presented
for the SSA region, by source, country, and sector, where available. An overview of
bilateral investment agreements and international investment initiatives is also
provided. Trade statistics beginning with 1990 are available in prior Commission
reports. 2 For additional information regarding specific sectors or countries, see sector
or country profiles in chapter 5 or 6, respectively.
Figure 1-1 shows the trend in U.S.-SSA merchandise trade from 1999-2003. Total
merchandise trade between the United States and SSA increased by 33.3 percent in
2003 to $32.1 billion, from $24.1 billion in 2002. 4 This increase was the result of a
39.9-percent increase in imports, from $18.2 billion in 2002 to $25.5 billion in 2003;
and a 13.1-percent increase in exports, from $5.9 billion in 2002 to $6.7 billion in
2003. The increase in U.S. imports from SSA was primarily the result of a $5.9-billion,
or 50.9-percent, increase in the energy-related products sector. Nigeria accounted
for most of the increase in U.S. imports from the region. U.S. imports from Nigeria
increased by $4.3 billion, or 73.8 percent, with most of the increase concentrated in
the energy sector (up by $4.3 billion or by 73.7 percent).
1 Merchandise trade data were compiled from official statistics of the U.S. Department of
Commerce.
2 For data series beginning in 1990, see USITC, U.S.-Africa Trade Flows and Effects, First Report,
USITC pub. 2938, Jan. 1996, table 2-1, p. 2-2.
3 See app. B, table B-2 for complete data listing by country and sector.
4 This report analyzes changes in U.S. merchandise trade on a value basis because aggregate trade
data by quantity are generally not available or meaningful. Consequently, it is possible (if prices change
significantly) for the value of trade to change considerably, but the quantity of trade to remain the same.
1-1