Dubai has emerged as one of the leading supplier of goods and all kinds of consumer products to Africa. Shipping lines plying the Dubai-Africa route are experiencing a welcome rise in business with the coming of African bulk buyers during the last decade. Among the major destinations of UAE exports are Nigeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Ghana and the Ivory Coast in West Africa, and Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya in East Africa. On an average, freight rates to Africa cost around $2,200 to $2,600 for a 20-foot container, which has a capacity of 21 tonnes. For a 40-foot container with a capacity of 26.5 tonnes, current rates are between $4,900 and $5,600. 

Chinese goods have been gaining increasing popularity in the African markets and Chinese companies are exporting in huge quantities of a wide variety of products directly into many African countries. In the last few years, China's trade with Africa has been growing with leaps and bounds, as has Chinese investments into several African nations.

A large number of African businesses use Dubai as their supply source. As a result, traders, merchants, manufacturers is Dubai have been eager to attract African buyers and have been doing roaring business in the African markets.

With the growing population in Africa demand for home and office furniture is simultaneously increasing. When people move into a new home, they need a bed to sleep on, wardrobes for their clothes, chairs, a dining table, sofas, kitchen cabinets and all kinds of furniture. Like households, offices also buy a lot of furniture too. 

Airbnb is giving tough competition to Africa's overpriced hotels and has become a serious threat for the hotel industry in many African countries.

Africa’s aviation industry is experiencing a boom time as the continent continues to increase airline frequency to the GCC and other destinations around the world.

New economic measures adopted by the recently re-elected government of Muhammadu Buhari will try to expand Nigeria's economy away from oil income dependence and focus on consolidating Nigeria's manufacturing base – thereby opening new business opportunities for overseas suppliers and investors.

Currently, 6 of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa, and the ease of doing business in Africa is improving to the extent that a good number of countries (including South Africa, Ghana, Mauritius and Tunisia) now outperform China, India, Brazil and Russia. In addition, FDI inflows to Africa have demonstrated year-to-year growth since 2010 and now amount to US$ 50 billion.

Kenya plans to boost its meat exports by investing in state-of-the-art slaughterhouses that meet international quality standards. This was announced by none other than President Uhuru at a recent meeting with government officials and business owners recently.

In times of economic meltdown, planning which markets of the world to target for exports, the continent of Africa doesn’t always come top of the list. In fact, rarely.