Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa: Past Performance and the Way Forward

45 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2006

See all articles by Yongzheng Yang

Yongzheng Yang

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - African Department

Sanjeev Gupta

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Fiscal Affairs Department

Date Written: February 2005

Abstract

Regional trade arrangements (RTAs) in Africa have been ineffective in promoting trade and foreign direct investment. Relatively high external trade barriers and low resource complementarity between member countries limit both intra- and extraregional trade. Small market size, poor transport facilities and high trading costs make it difficult for African countries to reap the potential benefits of RTAs. To increase regional trade and investment, African countries need to undertake more broad-based liberalization and streamline existing RTAs, supported by improvements in infrastructure and trade facilitation. Early action to strengthen the domestic revenue base would help address concerns over revenue losses from trade liberalization.

Keywords: Africa, Regional Trade Arrangements

JEL Classification: C15, F15, F47

Suggested Citation

Yang, Yongzheng and Gupta, Sanjeev, Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa: Past Performance and the Way Forward (February 2005). IMF Working Paper No. 05/36, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=874258

Yongzheng Yang (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - African Department ( email )

1700 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States
202-623-4339 (Phone)
202-623-4237 (Fax)

Sanjeev Gupta

International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Fiscal Affairs Department ( email )

700 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
270
Abstract Views
1,352
Rank
225,316
PlumX Metrics