Economic resilience urged for Africa amid US tariffs

African countries must move beyond foreign aid and focus on building resilient, self-sustaining economies, experts have warned in light of recent trade tariffs from the United States.

James Shikwati, director of the think tank Inter Region Economic Network, in Nairobi, Kenya, said the new US tariffs of a baseline 10 percent on the majority of African countries could undermine the continent's efforts to diversify and industrialize its economy. The new tariff regime also makes renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides eligible African nations with duty-free access to the US market, doubtful, he said.

On the other hand, Shikwati said the European Union countries have imposed stringent nontariff barriers, which also restrict their market access.