LAGOS, March 27 -- African economists and policymakers are increasingly calling for a shift in the continents trade strategy, arguing that long-standing reliance on raw material exports is limiting economic transformation and long-term growth.

For decades, many African economies have participated in global trade primarily as suppliers of unprocessed commodities, including minerals, agricultural products and energy resources. While this model has generated export revenue, it has also exposed countries to price volatility and constrained their ability to build diversified, industrial economies.

“The structure of trade matters as much as the volume,” said a West African economist. “If you export raw materials and import f...