Afdb Chief Warns Us Tariffs Could Trigger Economic 'shock Waves' In Africa

The head of the African Development Bank AfDB has warned that a sweeping wave of tariffs imposed by the United States could send 'shock waves" through African economies, risking reduced trade, increased inflation, and higher debt-servicing burdens.

AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina raised the alarm during a speech delivered on Friday at the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja. He spoke against the backdrop of recent volatility in global markets, following a series of abrupt tariff decisions by US President Donald Trump.

While a base tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all trading nations, Washington has also introduced significantly higher duties on Chinese imports. These measures represent a dramatic departure from decades of free-trade consensus, with 47 African nations potentially facing even steeper tariffs.

Adesina cautioned that the imposition of new levies would reduce Africa's foreign exchange earnings, placing pressure on local currencies and escalating the cost of imported goods.

"Inflation will increase as costs of imported goods rise and currencies devalue against the US dollar," he said. "The cost of servicing debt as a share of government revenue will rise, as expected revenues decline."