Assessing the Impact of Insufficient Supply Chain Digitalization in Sub-Saharan Africa on Global Trade: A Mixed-Method Research Approach

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) possesses over 30 percent of the world's natural resources but accounts for only a small percentage of global trade. This discrepancy is significantly influenced by an over-reliance on exporting unprocessed commodities and persistent technological, logistical, political, and economic challenges. This study investigates the impact of inadequate supply chain digitalization on SSA's integration into global trade, emphasizing global economy implications, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed-method methodology, the research combines panel-data regression analysis with a systematic literature review (SLR) to evaluate how digitalization affects export performance, trade openness, and export diversification across SSA economies. Results indicate that while digital adoption is the primary driver of export performance, its impact is inconsistent, hindered by fragmented data, skill gaps, and poor institutional preparedness. The findings suggest that infrastructure-led digital initiatives fail without concurrent human capital development and governance reform. Academically, the research advances understanding of digital trade in developing contexts; for practitioners, it highlights the need for focused, rather than blanket, digital adoption; and for policymakers, it highlights the necessity of prioritizing institutional readiness over infrastructure alone to enhance competitiveness and economic diversification.