ing Africa as a whole. The corresponding ratios for sub-Saharan Africa and non-oil-exporting developing Africa \Jere 41 and 61 per cent respectively. The 27 countries not 1 isted in tables VI.A.4 and VI.A.S had a combined trade deficit for 1981 equivalent to 76 per cent of their total export earnings. The 1982 trade deficits were even higher, and export earnings lower, so that the high 1981 ratios~ rose further. As a consequence the debt situation for the next few years (lS83-lS65} has deteriorated sharply. 22. The share of developing 1981, to ~African direction of trade is illustrated in table VI.A.9. The the developed market economies in the exports of Africa fell by 4 percentage points between 1979 and about four fifths of the total. 'I'he value of intra­ trade fell back by 9 per cent in l9Hl to$2.8billion, 117 E/ECA/CH.9/5 less than the value of trade with any of the groups : isted in the table~· 23. The weakness of intra-African trade can be attributed to a number of factors including supply constraints, inadequate marketing and distribution channe' s and transport and communica­ tions among African countries, a·.d difficulties in implementing the sub reg ion al integration schemes. Table VI. A. 9 Direction of developing Africa's external trade (Percentage) Exports f.o.b. 1980 1981 Imports f.o.b. 19EO 1981 -----------------------------------------------------------------Developed market economics 82.1 eo. 7 77.8 76.2 Centrally planned econon:ies 4.0 3.9 6.4 7.1 Developing market economies Africa 3.2 3.7 3.6 3.1 Arner ica 6.7 6.9 2.9 3.4 Asia 3.5 3.9 9.3 10.2 Not specified 0.5 1.0 Total 100 .o 100.0 1 oo.o 100.0 Source: Mont.!_!!_y_~~ll~!-~ ____ 9_f_§tat istic s, vol. XXXVI'· No.7 (July 1982), pp. xx-xxiii. 24. Developing Africa as a whole recorded a current account surplus of $1.6 bill ion in 1980. This was followed py a slump to 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the trade deficit and debt situation of developing Africa, the direction of its external trade, and the factors contributing to the weakness of intra-African trade. It highlights the decline in the value of trade with developed market economies and the increase in trade with other developing economies. The text does not mention natural resources, agriculture, forestry, fishing, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology. It primarily focuses on economic issues, specifically international trade and economic development.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development