Measuring Trade Integration in Africa

104 Pages Posted: 1 Sep 2017

See all articles by Antoine Bouët

Antoine Bouët

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); University of Bordeaux - LAREFI

Lionel Cosnard

NRA-AgroParisTech, Students; University of Angers - Groupe de Recherche en Économie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA)

David Laborde

United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Date Written: August 04, 2017

Abstract

In the Malabo Declaration of June 2014, African countries committed to tripling the level of intra-African agricultural trade and services by 2025, fast-tracking the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area, and adopting a continent-wide common external tariff. To accomplish these goals, African countries will need to consistently and accurately measure their participation in international trade. This paper reviews the literature on the measurement and qualification of trade integration in Africa. Starting with a complete review of available indicators and methodologies, it develops a methodological toolbox for better evaluation of the actual level of trade integration on the continent and formulates recommendations for policy assessment. It recommends use of a diverse range of indicators and methodologies, reviewing indicators that have recently emerged from network analysis and indicators of trade in value added. The study concludes that Africa is characterized by weak trade integration, particularly with the rest of the world. The region’s small number of trading partners and low product diversification are also striking. Contrary to what can be concluded from some simple trade share indicators, the use of more refined indicators shows that intra-African trade is relatively high compared with trade with other continents.

Keywords: Africa south of Sahara, Africa, trade, trade integration, trade indicators

JEL Classification: F14, F15

Suggested Citation

Bouet, Antoine and Cosnard, Lionel and Cosnard, Lionel and Laborde, David, Measuring Trade Integration in Africa (August 04, 2017). IFPRI Discussion Paper 1667, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3029635

Antoine Bouet (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

University of Bordeaux - LAREFI ( email )

Avenue Léaon Duiguit
Bordeaux, 33000
France

Lionel Cosnard

NRA-AgroParisTech, Students ( email )

147 rue de l'Université
Paris Cedex, 75338
France

University of Angers - Groupe de Recherche en Économie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA) ( email )

Avenue Léon Duguit
Aveneu Duguit
Pessac, 33 608
France

David Laborde

United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ( email )

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
Rome, Lazio 00153
Italy

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