Africa’s total share in the global export market of goods and services stood at a paltry 1.8% in 1998 compared to Asia’s 8.1% or the United States’ 13.8%. This means that Africa has a long way to go to improve its 2  BIS Review 107/1999  contribution to world trade by improving its productivity capability, competitiveness and harnessing of technology and skills. 5.
Asian recovery and the African Renaissance  The revival and sustenance of vigorous growth in the Asian economies would almost certainly enhance the development of an African Renaissance. Since 1994 and through the crisis of 1997, African-Asian trade has been significant.