Commodity exchanges in Africa play a vital role in facilitating trade, price discovery, and risk management for agricultural products, minerals, and other commodities. They help stabilize markets, improve transparency, and provide opportunities for farmers, miners, and traders to access broader markets. Below is a full list of African commodity exchanges along with descriptions of their operations and significance:

1. Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX)

• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Established: 2008
• Key Commodities: Coffee, sesame, maize, wheat, haricot beans, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The ECX is one of the most successful commodity exchanges in Africa. It was created to modernize Ethiopia’s agricultural sector by providing a transparent and efficient trading platform. The ECX has significantly improved market access for smallholder farmers and reduced price volatility.

2. East Africa Exchange (EAX)

• Location: Kigali, Rwanda (operating in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan)
• Established: 2013
• Key Commodities: Maize, beans, coffee, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The EAX was established to integrate East African agricultural markets and improve trade efficiency. It provides a platform for farmers and traders to access regional and international markets, ensuring fair pricing and reducing post-harvest losses.

3. Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa (ACE)

• Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
• Established: 2011
• Key Commodities: Maize, soybeans, groundnuts, rice, and other agricultural products.
• Description: ACE provides a platform for smallholder farmers to sell their produce at fair prices. It uses a warehouse receipt system to facilitate trade and improve market access. ACE has been instrumental in reducing food insecurity in Malawi.

4. Zimbabwe Agricultural Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE)

• Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
• Established: 2007
• Key Commodities: Maize, wheat, soybeans, and other agricultural products.
• Description: ZAMACE provides a platform for trading agricultural commodities in Zimbabwe. It aims to improve market efficiency and reduce price volatility. The exchange has faced challenges due to economic instability but remains a key player in the region.

5. Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX)

• Location: Abuja, Nigeria
• Established: 1998
• Key Commodities: Cocoa, sesame seeds, soybeans, maize, sorghum, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The NCX was established to provide a structured market for agricultural commodities in Nigeria. It aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve price transparency, and connect farmers with buyers. The exchange has faced operational challenges but remains a key institution in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

6. South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX)

• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Established: 1988 (now part of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, JSE)
• Key Commodities: Maize, wheat, sunflower seeds, and other agricultural products.
• Description: SAFEX is one of the most advanced commodity exchanges in Africa. It offers futures and options contracts for agricultural commodities, enabling farmers and traders to hedge against price volatility. SAFEX is a key player in the Southern African region.

7. Bourse Africa (now part of AEFX)

• Location: Gaborone, Botswana (operating across multiple African countries)
• Established: 2011
• Key Commodities: Cotton, coffee, cocoa, and other agricultural products.
• Description: Bourse Africa was established to create a pan-African commodity derivatives exchange. It aimed to provide hedging tools for farmers and traders across the continent. In 2019, it merged with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to form the African Exchange Linkage Project (AELP).

8. Multi Commodity Exchange of Africa (MCX Africa)

• Location: Mauritius
• Established: 2013
• Key Commodities: Gold, silver, and other precious metals.
• Description: MCX Africa is a subsidiary of India’s Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). It focuses on trading precious metals and aims to become a hub for commodity trading in Africa.

9. Africa Mercantile Exchange (AFMX)

• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Established: 2015
• Key Commodities: Coffee, tea, maize, and other agricultural products.
• Description: AFMX provides a platform for trading agricultural commodities in East Africa. It aims to improve market access for smallholder farmers and reduce price volatility.

10. Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX)

• Location: Accra, Ghana
• Established: 2018
• Key Commodities: Maize, soybeans, rice, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The GCX was established to create a structured market for agricultural commodities in Ghana. It uses a warehouse receipt system to facilitate trade and improve market access for farmers.

11. Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX)

• Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Established: 2015
• Key Commodities: Coffee, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The TMX provides a platform for trading agricultural commodities in Tanzania. It aims to improve market efficiency and connect farmers with buyers.

12. Uganda Commodity Exchange (UCE)

• Location: Kampala, Uganda
• Established: 2016
• Key Commodities: Coffee, maize, beans, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The UCE was established to provide a structured market for agricultural commodities in Uganda. It aims to improve price transparency and market access for farmers.

13. African Commodity Exchange (ACE)

• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Established: 2017
• Key Commodities: Coffee, sesame, and other agricultural products.
• Description: ACE is a private-sector-led commodity exchange in Ethiopia. It complements the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX) by providing additional trading opportunities for farmers and traders.

14. Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) – Africa Operations

• Location: Dubai (with operations in Africa)
• Established: 2005
• Key Commodities: Gold, silver, and other precious metals.
• Description: The DGCX has expanded its operations to Africa, focusing on trading precious metals. It provides a platform for African miners and traders to access international markets.

15. African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Commodity Trading Platform

• Location: Cairo, Egypt (pan-African operations)
• Established: 2019
• Key Commodities: Crude oil, gold, cocoa, and other commodities.
• Description: Afreximbank launched a commodity trading platform to facilitate intra-African trade and reduce reliance on foreign markets. It aims to create a unified African commodity market.

16. Kenya Commodity Exchange (KCE)

• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Established: 2014
• Key Commodities: Maize, beans, coffee, and other agricultural products.
• Description: The KCE provides a platform for trading agricultural commodities in Kenya. It aims to improve market access for smallholder farmers and reduce price volatility.

17. West Africa Commodity Exchange (WACX)

• Location: Lagos, Nigeria (planned)
• Established: Proposed
• Key Commodities: Agricultural products and minerals.
• Description: The WACX is a proposed commodity exchange aimed at integrating West African markets. It seeks to improve trade efficiency and provide a platform for farmers and miners to access regional and international markets.

18. African Minerals and Commodities Exchange (AMCX)

• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Established: 2016
• Key Commodities: Gold, diamonds, platinum, and other minerals.
• Description: The AMCX focuses on trading minerals and provides a platform for African miners to access global markets. It aims to improve transparency and reduce illegal mining activities.

19. African Commodities Exchange (ACE) – South Africa

• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Established: 2017
• Key Commodities: Agricultural products and minerals.
• Description: The ACE provides a platform for trading agricultural and mineral commodities in South Africa. It aims to improve market efficiency and connect producers with buyers.

20. African Petroleum and Energy Exchange (APEX)

• Location: Lagos, Nigeria (proposed)
• Established: Proposed
• Key Commodities: Crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
• Description: APEX is a proposed exchange aimed at creating a structured market for energy commodities in Africa. It seeks to improve price transparency and reduce reliance on foreign markets.

Conclusion

African commodity exchanges are critical for driving economic growth, improving market efficiency, and reducing poverty. They provide a platform for farmers, miners, and traders to access broader markets, ensuring fair pricing and reducing risks. While some exchanges are well-established, others are still in their infancy or proposed stages, reflecting the growing importance of commodity trading in Africa’s economic development.