Integrating Africa: Some Trade Policy Research Priorities and Challenges

34 Pages Posted: 7 Sep 2017

See all articles by Bernard Hoekman

Bernard Hoekman

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Dominique Njinkeu

European University Institute

Date Written: September 2017

Abstract

This paper discusses opportunities for trade policy research to contribute more to efforts to integrate African markets, a stated policy priority for African leaders. Much of the economic research in this area has sought to quantify aggregate trade costs and the potential welfare impacts of reducing such costs, including through regional integration. This is important, but we argue that more focus is needed on the ‘micro’ dimensions of regional integration. These center on the trade-restricting effects of nontariff measures and regulatory policies and their political economy underpinnings. Of particular importance is research on mechanisms to support market integration initiatives that recognize the multidimensional nature of the sources of trade costs in Africa, and the associated political economy forces within and between countries and regional economic communities.

Keywords: Trade Costs; Nontariff Measures, Trade Facilitation; Regional Integration; Services Markets

JEL Classification: F13; F15; O19; O55

Suggested Citation

Hoekman, Bernard and Njinkeu, Dominique, Integrating Africa: Some Trade Policy Research Priorities and Challenges (September 2017). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Paper No. RSCAS 2017/43, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3032488 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3032488

Bernard Hoekman (Contact Author)

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

via Boccaccio 121
Florence, Florence 50133
Italy

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Economic Research Forum (ERF) ( email )

21 Al-Sad Al-Aaly St.
(P.O. Box: 12311)
Dokki, Cairo
Egypt

Dominique Njinkeu

European University Institute ( email )

Villa Schifanoia
133 via Bocaccio
Firenze (Florence), Tuscany 50014
Italy

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