Report ranks Nigeria amongst fastest-growing in world connectedness

Nigeria, Zambia and Namibia are among the many economies recording the quickest features in world connectedness, underscoring the rising integration of Sub-Saharan Africa into worldwide commerce, funding and folks flows, in keeping with the DHL International Connectedness Report 2026.

The report, revealed by logistics agency DHL in partnership with New York College’s Stern School of Enterprise, discovered that globalisation stays at traditionally excessive ranges regardless of rising geopolitical tensions, growing US tariffs and uncertainty surrounding world commerce insurance policies.

‘International connectedness’ refers to how carefully a rustic is built-in into the world financial system by cross-border flows of commerce, funding, info, and folks.

The report presents a blended however enhancing outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, noting that whereas connectedness ranges differ extensively throughout international locations, a number of economies are strengthening their participation in world networks.

Nigeria and Zambia ranked amongst international locations with the biggest features in connectedness since 2022, reflecting elevated momentum in commerce, funding and mobility flows. Namibia was additionally highlighted as one of many international locations with the most important long-term enhancements in world integration since 2001, alongside Mozambique.

Chief Govt Officer of DHL Categorical Sub-Saharan Africa, Hennie Heymans, mentioned stronger world hyperlinks have gotten a important driver of financial competitiveness.

“As provide chains throughout the globe proceed to develop and commerce routes increase into new territories, connectedness is rising as a key differentiator for companies and nations alike,” Heymans mentioned.

He added that international locations strengthening worldwide ties have gotten extra seen inside world commerce networks, signalling a shift in Africa’s financial narrative.

“This report underscores how Africa is more and more transferring from a story of assist to considered one of commerce, powered by stronger integration, rising competitiveness and improved entry to world markets,” he mentioned.

Heymans famous that unlocking additional features would require improved regional connectivity, predictable cross-border processes and stronger partnerships that bridge native situations with world commerce necessities.

The report discovered that globalisation has held regular since 2022, with cross-border integration measured at 25 per cent in 2025, matching the document excessive reached three years earlier. The index measures globalisation on a scale from 0 per cent, representing no worldwide flows, to 100 per cent, the place borders and distance don’t have any influence on financial exercise.

Chief Govt Officer of DHL Categorical, John Pearson, mentioned the resilience of world flows demonstrates the continued significance of worldwide cooperation.

“Globalisation is holding its floor, and that alone speaks volumes about its worth,” Pearson mentioned. “International locations and corporations aren’t retreating behind nationwide borders. That’s excellent news.”

He added that world connections allow markets and companies to diversify and adapt even amid uncertainty.

Regardless of political tensions and coverage shifts, the report discovered little proof of a broad fragmentation of the worldwide financial system into rival geopolitical blocs. Over the previous decade, solely 4–6 per cent of world items commerce, greenfield overseas direct funding and cross-border mergers and acquisitions shifted away from geopolitical rivals.

As an alternative, many of those flows have moved towards international locations sustaining versatile geopolitical positions, together with India and Vietnam.

“The politics and coverage surrounding globalisation are far more risky than the precise flows between international locations,” Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalisation at NYU Stern’s Heart for the Way forward for Administration and one of many report’s authors, Steven Altman, acknowledged. He famous that whereas world commerce patterns shifted in 2025, the modifications had been smaller than disruptions seen throughout earlier crises such because the early levels of the struggle in Ukraine.

Past commerce and funding, the report mentioned the worldwide motion of individuals has totally recovered from the sharp decline attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Nations tourism knowledge cited within the report reveals that Africa recorded a 17 per cent enhance in worldwide arrivals in 2025 in contrast with 2019 ranges, the second-largest regional rise globally after the Center East.

Within the report’s newest rating of 180 economies by connectedness, Seychelles positioned fortieth globally, adopted by South Africa at 53rd, Mauritius at sixty fifth, Namibia at 68th, Ghana at 97th, Nigeria at one centesimal, Mozambique at 107th and Kenya at 119th.

First revealed in 2011, the DHL International Connectedness Report analyses 14 forms of worldwide flows and covers international locations representing almost all world financial output and inhabitants, providing insights into how nations take part in an more and more interconnected world financial system.