DHL Report: Sub-Saharan Africa Improves Global Connectedness

Several Sub-Saharan African economies are showing improvements in global connectedness, according to the DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026 released by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business. The report analyses more than 9 million data points tracking international flows of trade, capital, information, and people. It reports that global connectedness remained at 25% in 2025, matching the record level first reached in 2022.

The findings show that the global connectedness index reached 25% in 2025, the same level recorded in 2022, which represents the highest level observed so far according to the report’s measurement framework. The index measures globalization on a scale from 0%—representing no cross-border flows—to 100%, which would indicate that borders and distance have no effect on international interactions.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the report identifies varying levels of global integration among countries but highlights progress in several economies. Namibia ranks among the countries with the largest increases in connectedness since 2001, while Mozambique also appears among the strongest long-term improvers.

More recent gains have been recorded in Nigeria and Zambia, which are listed among the countries with the largest increases in connectedness since 2022. These changes reflect developments in trade activity, investment flows, and movement of people.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, commented: “As supply chains across the globe continue to develop and trade routes expand into new territories, connectedness is emerging as a key differentiator for businesses and nations alike. The countries in our region that are strengthening their global links are becoming more visible in international trade networks. While this is an encouraging trend in terms of the scope of opportunities available, the key is to take advantage of these opportunities to drive consistent and reliable trade flows. This report further underscores how Africa is increasingly shifting from a narrative of aid to one of trade, a transformation powered by stronger integration, rising competitiveness, and improved access to global markets. To fully unlock this potential, the region needs strong regional connectivity, predictable cross-border processes, and partners that understand both local conditions and global trade requirements. At DHL Express, we are committed to being a catalyst for growth in Africa, ensuring that not only is Africa a part of global trade but a key driver within it.”

The report also notes that international movement of people has recovered following the decline caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to United Nations tourism data cited in the report, Africa recorded a 17% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2025 compared with 2019. This represents the second-largest regional increase globally after the Middle East.

In the report’s 2024 ranking of 180 economies by connectedness, South Africa placed 53rd globally. Other Sub-Saharan African countries with relatively higher positions include Seychelles at 40th, Mauritius at 65th, Namibia at 68th, Ghana at 97th, Nigeria at 100th, Mozambique at 107th, and Kenya at 119th.

The report also finds that globalization has remained stable since 2022. It states that while political debates around globalization have intensified, cross-border economic and social flows continue at relatively high levels.

John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, stated: “Globalization is holding its ground – and that alone speaks volumes about its value. From poverty to climate change, the world’s biggest challenges can only be solved through global thinking. The DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that countries and companies are not retreating behind national borders. That is good news. DHL strengthens global ties by connecting markets, businesses, and people so they can adapt, diversify, and unlock new opportunities – even in uncertain times.”

The report also examines geopolitical developments affecting global trade. Although the United States and China are reducing certain economic connections, most countries continue to trade with long-standing partners. Over the past decade, between 4% and 6% of global goods trade, greenfield foreign direct investment, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions have shifted away from geopolitical rivals. Much of this activity has moved toward countries such as India and Vietnam rather than to close political allies.

Prof. Steven A. Altman, Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern’s Center for the Future of Management, said: “The politics and policy surrounding globalization are much more volatile than the actual flows between countries. Global trade patterns changed more in 2025 than they do in a typical year, but less than they did during other recent disruptions such as the early stages of the war in Ukraine. Sound decision-making requires a calibrated view of how much global business ties are really changing. The risks to globalization are real, but so is the resilience of global flows.”

First published in 2011, the DHL Global Connectedness Report analyses 14 different types of international flows related to trade, capital, information, and people. The 2026 edition evaluates the connectedness of 180 countries, representing 99.6 percent of global gross domestic product and 99.0 percent of the global population. The report also includes one-page profiles summarizing globalization patterns for each country.

The study was commissioned by DHL and authored by Steven A. Altman and Caroline R. Bastian of New York University Stern School of Business.