非洲陆连经济体：通向繁荣与发展的路径（英）

Africa’s Land-Linked Economies: Pathways to Prosperity and DevelopmentPOSITION PAPER................................ 1 Acknowledgements The United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Africa is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this position paper. The paper was prepared under the leadership and guidance of Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa. She was supported by Dr. Matthias Naab, Director of the Regional Service Centre for Africa. The technical leadership was provided by Komi Tsowou and strategic guidance by Rania Hadra to the core team of economists and trade experts who provided significant inputs into the paper including Usman Iftikhar, Wiliam Asiedu and Hebron Girma. Reviews by UNDP colleagues Elda Chirwa, Ify Ogo and Alex Warren-Rodriguez were appreciated. Special recognition to UNDP Resident Representatives and economists from African LLDCs for the useful comments and feedback. ................................ 2 Acronyms AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area ICT Information and Communication Technology AGOA African Growth and Opportunity Act IEA International Energy Agency AI Artificial Intelligence IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development APoA Awaza Programme of Action IoT Internet of Things ASYCUDA Automated System for Customs Data ITU International Telecommunication Union AU African Union LDC Least Developed Country CAR Central African Republic LLDC Landlocked Developing Country DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo LLDE Land-Linked Developing Economy EBA Everything But Arms MSME Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise EIF Enhanced Integrated Framework MW Megawatt FDI Foreign Direct Investment OSBP One-Stop Border Post FTA Free Trade Arrangement REC Regional Economic Communities GDP Gross Domestic Product SDG Sustainable Development Goals GVC Global Value Chain UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme WTO World Trade Organization ................................ 3 1. Introduction 1.1. From land-locked and limited to land-linked and brimming with promise Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) were traditionally perceived as experiencing significant logistical and economic challenges due to their geographies. This narrative is shifting in a profound way across Africa, rewriting the story from one of geographic limitation to strategic advantage. African LLDCs are increasingly defined by what they uniquely offer: strategic centrality and vibrant connections that drive regional and global economic dynamism. Malawi's recent National Export Strategy (2021–2026) boldly proclaims its identity as a "land-linked" nation, explicitly signalling a new era of connectivity-driven growth.1 This evolution from "landlocked" to "land-linked developing economies (LLDEs)" is reshaping development trajectories, unlocking transformative opportunities and reposition