Nigeria, Oct. 10 -- The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has become a major driver of global merchandise trade, but its growing concentration in technology-related goods and investment exposes the global economy to financial risks if demand slows.

The new insights are contained in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) latest Trade and Development Report 2026.

UNCTAD said global trade in goods and services grew by 4.4 per cent in real terms in 2025 and was projected to expand by about four per cent in 2026.

However, the report said the growth rested on a narrow base, with AI-related goods, including chips and servers used in data centres.

The growth accounts for about one-sixth of global goods trade by value ...