Abstract
This chapter employs gravity regressions to estimate the ex post trade effects of regional trade agreements (RTAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for 25 EU and 48 SSA countries using data from 1960 to 2006. In addition to EU-SSA RTAs the chapter considers the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD). Similarities of trade and production structures limit the contribution of RTAs to intra-SSA trade (South-South trade), although RTAs within SSA increase trade on average by 5-30 per cent for member countries of ECOWAS and SADC. The results suggest the need for SSA countries to focus on expanding and integrating regional markets in order to significantly improve trade performance. The EU’s trade preferences with SSA on average increase exports from SSA countries to the EU by 17-24 per cent, so North-South trade has been beneficial.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Handbook on Trade and Development |
Publisher | Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. |
Pages | 210-231 |
Number of pages | 22 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781781005316 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781781005309 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |