Regional Integration, Trade and Industry in Africa

Regional Integration, Trade and Industry in Africa
Author: Helmut Asche
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2021-06-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030753662

This book examines the past, present and prospects of regional economic integration in Africa. The empirical analysis ranges from unions formed during the years following independence, to the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to remove trade barriers between all 55 African states. In addition, the book explores to what extent Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have advanced in accordance with a linear integration model of goods, labor and capital markets. The book subsequently evaluates the suitability of the European model of deep integration with costly institutions for the conditions specific to Africa, considering, for example, the role of informal and non-recorded trade. Stylized cases of regional division of labour with increasing returns and imperfect competition are introduced to support the economic integration logic. Past and current economic policies in Africa are scrutinized to answer the question: how can African regions best foster new manufacturing industries and value chains across the continent? In conclusion, the book outlines content and processes of Common Industrial Policy in the African regions. The book also addresses the controversial issue of international trade agreements between developing countries and the European Union or the USA and investigates whether these agreements impede or promote economic development in Africa. The book includes a detailed roadmap describing how to improve key clauses of agreements for economic partnership in the interest of African countries. In closing, it outlines a new vision of joint sustainable development for Africa and Europe.

Trade Reform and Regional Integration in Africa

Trade Reform and Regional Integration in Africa
Author: Mr. Zubair Iqbal
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 523
Release: 1998-12-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455299146

Edited by Zubair Iqbal and Mohsin Khan, this volume is a collection of papers given at a seminar on trade issues in Africa, conducted by the IMF nad the African Economic Research Consortium. It represents the views of government officials, academics, and representatives from multilateral and regional agencies on issues relating to trade reform and regionalism in Africa. Issues include the role of trade liberalization in promoting sustained growth, interdependence of trade and macroeconomic policies, impediments to effective trade reforms, the steps needed to accelerate trade reform, and the importance of regional interaction.

Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa

Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa
Author: Yongzheng Yang
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 62
Release: 2005-09-20
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781589064393

In recent years, African policymakers have increasingly resorted to regional trade arrangements (RTAs) as a substitute for broad-based trade liberalization. This trend has long-term implications for the effectiveness of trade policy as a tool for poverty reduction and growth. This paper examines the record of RTAs in promoting trade and investment. It also explores policy measures that may help improve RTAs' performance.

Regional Economic Integration in the Middle East and North Africa

Regional Economic Integration in the Middle East and North Africa
Author: Mustapha Rouis
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 209
Release: 2012-12-11
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 082139729X

This book summarizes the constraints to and opportunities for deepening economic integration within the MENA region and beyond. Trade and investment reform are discussed together with physical connectivity, cross-border trade facilitation, infrastructure networks, and the vital role of logistics.

Regional Integration in West Africa

Regional Integration in West Africa
Author: Eswar Prasad
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Total Pages: 203
Release: 2021-07-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0815738544

" Assessing the potential benefits and risks of a currency union Leaders of the fifteen-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have set a goal of achieving a monetary and currency union by late 2020. Although some progress has been made toward achieving this ambitious goal, major challenges remain if the region is to realize the necessary macroeconomic convergence and establish the required institutional framework in a relatively short period of time. The proposed union offers many potential benefits, especially for countries with historically high inflation rates and weak central banks. But, as implementation of the euro over the past two decades has shown, folding multiple currencies, representing disparate economies, into a common union comes with significant costs, along with operational challenges and transitional risks. All these potential negatives must be considered carefully by ECOWAS leaders seeking tomeet a self-imposed deadline. This book, by two leading experts on economics and Africa, makes a significant analytical contribution to the debates now under way about how ECOWAS could achieve and manage its currency union, andthe ramifications for the African continent. "

Regional Integration and Trade in Africa

Regional Integration and Trade in Africa
Author: Mthuli Ncube
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2014-12-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1137462051

This book reviews the current trends and challenges of regional integration and trade in Africa. It provides valuable policy recommendations aimed at stimulating the debate among the government, private sector and development community on the ways to promote regional trade for Africa's economic development.

De-Fragmenting Africa

De-Fragmenting Africa
Author: Paul Brenton and Gozde Isik
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 191
Release:
Genre:
ISBN:

Africa is not achieving its potential in regional trade. This is of particular importance given the uncertainty surrounding the global economy and stagnation in traditional markets in Europe and North America and the emergence of Africa as a rising growth pole. The contributions to this volume highlight the enormous scope for increased cross-border trade in Africa in both goods and services and the reasons why such opportunities are not being exploited. The varied contributions show that for effective regional integration policy makers must look beyond simply removing tariffs to address barriers on the ground that constrain the daily operations of ordinary producers and traders. This requires a reform agenda, covering both goods and services that puts in place appropriate regulations for integrated markets and builds the capacity of institutions that are essential for trade across borders. The incidence of barriers to regional trade fall most heavily on the poor and women and prevents them from exploiting the opportunities that regional trade provides to diversify exports away from a narrow range of minerals and primary products that have been driving recent growth. Regional trade can play a key role in delivering the jobs that are needed for Africa’s young populations. The chapters have been written in a non-technical way to promote dialogue on regional integration in Africa amongst a broad audience that includes policy makers, officials, academics, entrepreneurs, consumers as well as the international development community.

Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration - Towards Transformative Regional Integration

Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration - Towards Transformative Regional Integration
Author: Achim Gutowski
Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster
Total Pages: 454
Release: 2016
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 3643905238

Based on Africa's deep routed structural problems, the key aspect of a transformative regional integration is how to promote structural transformation by adapted strategies and policies for the African regional economic communities, for the Continental Free Trade Area, and for the Tripartite Free Trade Area. Regional integration in Africa is based on a conventional (linear) model, starting with trade preference zones and moving to free trade areas, customs unions, and monetary and economic zones, with the ultimate goal to reach political unity. Specific problems of a more transformative regional integration agenda are discussed, such as: ?food security and agriculture; industry development, enterprise growth and competition; and economic partnership agreements with extra-regional partners. In the final section, the impact of three global value chains of importance for Africa (diamonds, shea butter, and sesame) are considered on regions, on sub-regions, and on regional integration. (Series: African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 18) [Subject: African Studies, Economics

Regional Integration and Policy Challenges in Africa

Regional Integration and Policy Challenges in Africa
Author: A. Elhiraika
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2016-01-26
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1137462086

The role of integration as a catalyst for economic growth, development and insulation from global shocks has made the concept of regional integration even more attractive to states. This books contains compelling arguments and empirical observations that detail some of the key opportunities governments in Africa are pursuing.

Development Centre Seminars Regional Integration in Africa

Development Centre Seminars Regional Integration in Africa
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2002-04-25
Genre:
ISBN: 9264194428

Regional integration and co-ordination are not a panacea but they could hold the key to African countries' long-awaited participation in the world economy. This was one of the conclusions of the second International Forum on African Perspectives ...