Zambian economist Sydney Mwamba has raised alarms over new U.S. tariff policies, warning that African economies could face severe setbacks in industrial development and employment if the measures persist. In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Mwamba, executive director of the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre, highlighted how rising export costs for African raw materials threaten to destabilize key sectors and deepen economic stagnation across the continent.
"Higher tariffs force African nations to grapple with reduced competitiveness in global markets," Mwamba explained. "This impacts not only industrial growth but also risks job losses and business closures." He emphasized that developing countries, already navigating post-pandemic recovery challenges, may struggle to absorb the financial strain of U.S. trade barriers.
The warning comes amid growing scrutiny of U.S. trade policies and their spillover effects on emerging economies. Analysts suggest African governments might need to diversify export markets or strengthen regional trade partnerships to mitigate risks. For investors, the situation underscores the importance of monitoring supply chain shifts and policy changes impacting Africa's commodity-driven economies.
