Testing the triple deficit hypothesis for sub‐Saharan Africa: Implications for the African Continental Free Trade Area

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (28-29) ◽

pp. 52-62

Author(s):

Mariia Kravchenko ◽

Keyword(s):

Free Trade ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Regional Integration ◽

Free Trade Area ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Unity ◽

Economic Community ◽

Trade Area ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa

The article deals with the main integration associations of such a promising but controversial region, as Sub-Saharan Africa. The author emphasizes the continuity of regional integration associations’ formation that goes back to the colonial times, to the first half of the 20th century. Periodization of ongoing integration processes in Sub-Saharan Africa is proposed in the research. Key milestones for the further regional integration were: - 1963, the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU); and the beginning of Independence for many postcolonial countries of Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1980, the Lagos Plan of Action adoption that led to the establishment in future of the following integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa; ECCAS, Economic Community of Central African States; - 1991, the signing of the Abuja Treaty, which called for the African Economic Community creation as the new stage for economic cooperation and integration of the continent, including Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1999-2002, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) transition into the African Union (AU), launching of new partnerships and integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, increased integration. At the beginning of the 21st century, there are serious economic and political factors for disintegration in the region. Nevertheless, the following integration associations, as stated in the article, proved to be effective: SADC, Southern African Development Community; EAC, East African Community; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. The author argues that the existence since 2015 the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) between EAC, COMESA and SADC marks a significant step forward for strengthening of integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for the achievement of African Union’s purpose to provide the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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The African Continental Free Trade Area

Staff Discussion Notes ◽

10.5089/9781513542379.006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (04) ◽

Author(s):

Lisandro Abrego ◽

Mario de Zamaroczy ◽

Tunc Gursoy ◽

Garth Nicholls ◽

Hector Perez-Saiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Free Trade ◽

Free Trade Area ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

African Countries ◽

Trade Area ◽

Technology Transfers ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Sub Saharan

Political momentum towards Africa-wide free trade has been intensifying. In March 2018, over 40 countries signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. Once fully implemented, the AfCFTA is expected to cover all 55 African countries, with a combined GDP of about US$2.2 trillion. This SDN takes stock of recent trade developments in Sub-Saharan Africa and assesses the potential benefits and costs of the AfCFTA, as well as challenges to its successful implementation. In addition to increased trade flows both in existing and new products, the AfCFTA has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits for African countries. These benefits include higher income arising from increased efficiency and productivity from improved resource allocation, higher cross-border investment flows, and technology transfers. Besides lowering import tariffs, to ensure these benefits, African countries will need reduce other trade barriers by making more efficient their customs procedures, reducing their wide infrastructure gaps, and improving their business climates. At the same time, policy measures should be taken to mitigate the differential impact of trade liberalization on certain groups as resources are reallocated in the economy and activities migrate to locations with comparatively lower costs.

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Future UK-Africa trade policy will mirror EU approach

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db244919 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Trade Policy ◽

Free Trade ◽

Free Trade Area ◽

Content Type ◽

Trade Area ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Economic Partnership ◽

Trade Deals

Significance Even in a no-deal outcome, the United Kingdom's trade orientation towards Africa will look remarkably familiar as London seeks immediately to replicate the terms of the EU’s economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with Sub-Saharan African states. Impacts Opposition will grow to the EU’s EPAs -- and to the replicated UK EPAs -- by trade justice campaigners. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could potentially help African states collectively to renegotiate EPAs on a fairer footing. A key London post-Brexit focus will be persuading African EPA sceptics (such as Nigeria or Tanzania) to join such regional free trade deals.

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