New afreximbank strategy to increase intraafrican trade to. African trade, largely because most african countries belong to the world trade organization wto, and so have ratified the articles of the general agreements on tariffs and trade gatt 1994, as well being signatories of regional trade agreements rtas. This study examines the potential for intra africa trade and the prospects of advancing regional economic integration through such trade. There is one way of boosting intraregional trade, and with it economic growth and development. However, the share of intra african trade in africas total imports and exports remains rather low.
This historic summit decision is aimed at deepening africas market integration and using trade to serve more effectively as an instrument for the attainment of rapid and sustainable socioeconomic development. The action plan for boosting intra africa trade, as endorsed by the au summit, contains seven major clusters, the implementation of whose programmes and activities is aimed at addressing the key constraints and challenges of intra african trade and at significantly enhancing the size and benefits of the trade for the attainment of sustainable. Intraafrican trade is key to sustainable development. Intra regional trade is a growing african story 20 compared with other regions of the world, trade between african countries is low because several countries export the same goods, unprocessed commodities, which precludes the need to trade with each other. African regional trade agreements and intraafrican trade. This paper analyses the determinants of intraafrican trade iat to assess the potential obstacles to greater subregional trade. The january 2011 au summit endorsed the recommendation of the 6th ordinary session of the au ministers of trade held in kigali from 29 october 2 november 2010 to fast track the establishment of a panafrican free trade, besides the january 2012 african union summit of heads of state and. Thus a major lesson to be drawn from the systemic shocks in the global economy is the need for africa to promote intra regional trade. Existing literature according to unctad 2008 report on economic development in africa, intra regional trade has never been an important source of trade for africa, accounting for only 8 percent of total exports in 2006.
African trade statistics yearbook 2017 tralac trade law centre. Today, there is strong consensus among african leaders that regional integration is indispensable to unlock economies of scale and sharpen competitiveness. Intraregional trade statistics show that africa rates among the lowest, with less than 20 percent of what is produced in the region staying within the region. It is intended to make payments under intraafrican trade possible in local currencies of all african countries. Pdf this study examines the potential for intraafrica trade and the prospects of advancing regional economic integration through such trade. In comparison with other regions, intraafrican trade still plays a trifling role in the continents overall trade. Afreximbank appoints kanayo awani md for intraafrican trade. This first issue is dedicated to regional integration on the african continent, following last months african union summit on boosting intraafrican trade.
The strategic emphasis on intraafrican trade adopted by the bank and the african union provides the opportunity to foster the process of africas industrialization and eventually set the region on an export diversification path there is the increasing attention to the blue economy with its potential to promote intraregional trade. Apr 05, 2016 the african exportimport bank afreximbank is the foremost pan african multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra and extra african trade. A variety of empirical models are deployed for the purpose. Pdf the potential for intraafrica trade and regional. Mukhisa kituyi, secretarygeneral of the united nations conference on trade and development addressing the challenge of migration requires an innovative.
Study on the identification of barriers and obstacles to. Despite the proliferation of regional trade arrangements in subsaharan africa ssa in the past two decades many of which were specifically created to boost trade among the countries in the region, intra ssa trade is still very limited and has hardly grown over time. Intra african trade is very important for the economic development and integration of the continent. An issues paper fleshing out key issues and challenges for enhancing intraafrican trade, including guidelines for fasttracking the continental free trade area. However, this relies on a critical policy instrument the effective implementation of preferential trade liberalization among the members of the african continental free trade area. Sep 19, 2018 intra african trade is very important for the economic development and integration of the continent. The freetrade area is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the world trade organization. African governments want to achieve their objective of boosting intraafrican trade, they have to create more space for the private sector to play an active role in the integration process. Trade between african countries has the greatest potential for building sustainable economic development and integration, says african economic outlook 2017, a flagship report of the african development bank released in ahmedabad on day 1 of its 52nd annual meetings, which commenced on monday in the indian city. Boosting intra african trade and deepening regional market integration constitute a necessary response to the challenges facing africa in the multilateral trading system and the global economy.
Accordingly, the total of volume of trade has increased over the african continent. The trade fair is being promoted by the african exportimport bank and organized in collaboration with the african union. Expanded markets for african goods and services, unobstructed factor movements and the reallocation of resources should promote. The need to enhance intraafrican trade among african countries led to the formation of the eaccomesasadc east african community. Third, the study evaluates potential linkages between export diversification and intra industry trade in africa. Second, a measure of intra industry trade for african economies is estimated. The summit will focus on solutions to the numerous impediments that hinder intra african trade.
Trade integration africa regional integration index. The aim of the project is to help african countries to implement an integrated programme with regard to the promotion of trade and trade policies aimed at expanding intra african trade. The need to enhance intra african trade among african countries led to the formation of the eaccomesasadc east african community. English economic commission for africa committee on regional cooperation and integration ninth session addis ababa, 7 9 december 2015 intra african trade and africa regional integration index progress report on intra african trade i. This study examines the potential for intraafrica trade and the prospects of advancing regional economic integration through such trade. May 23, 2017 world bank data reinforces the hypothesis that the levels of intraafrica are inadequate, between 2007 and 2011 intraafrican trade accounted for only 11% of africas total trade, the lowest of. New afreximbank strategy to increase intraafrican trade. The action plan outlined in this document aims at deepening africas market integration and significantly increasing the volume of trade that african countries. The share of intra african exports as a percentage of total african exports has increased from about 10 percent in 1995 to around 17 percent in 2017, but it. In interpreting shares of intraafrican trade in total trade, there are. There is one way of boosting intra regional trade, and with it economic growth and development. The fact that some of these countries are important in terms of regional gdp suggests that removing obstacles may help expanding intra african trade and, hence, initiate the growth spillovers.
It also endorsed an action plan for boosting intraafrica trade biat. I chaired a very lively seminar on friday afternoon that focused on the question, can africa trade with africa. The promotion of intraafrican trade is the first pillar of the banks fifth strategic plan, informed by the view that intraafrican trade offers tremendous potential as a mitigant against adverse external shocks and global volatility. Africa, along with asia, is the only region with a rising trend in intraregional trade from 2008. The finding that trade among some african countries is too low implies that there are obstacles to such a trade. Intraafrican trade in context brookings institution. The main objective of the action plan for boosting intraafrican trade is to reach 25% of the intraafrican trade currently, is 10% % through the regional integration the final aim is to create a continental market african common market. The african exportimport bank afreximbank is the foremost panafrican multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra and extraafrican trade. They must improve their manufacturing base and strengthen the institutional structures required for trade policy to optimally foster intra african. Going beyond political commitments 7 interview with arancha gonzalez 8 raw deal for african women traders 10 africa s trade under a changing climate 12 interview with. Pdf does intraafrican trade reduce youth unemployment in. The issues paper is aimed at provoking the subject of low performance of intra african trade, raising as it were, the key issues why intra african trade is low.
We have gathered analysis and commentary from politicians, practitioners, scholars and experts and asked them to give us their analysis of the major bottlenecks on the road. Oecd ilibrary obstacles to expanding intraafrican trade. Songwe assesses the potential of the african continental free trade area agreement and the implications of the new free trade area. Made in africa rules of origin for enhanced intraafrican trade vii. The lagos plan of action lpa together with the final act of lagos fad were borne out of an overwhelming necessity to establish an african social and economic order primarily based on utilising to the full the region s resources in building a selfreliant economy. Jul 04, 2012 the need to enhance intra african trade among african countries led to the formation of the eaccomesasadc east african community. The advent of the african continental free trade area represents a historic opportunity for the continent to boost intraafrican trade and accelerate structural transformation. Accelerating growth through improved intraafrican trade brookings africa growth initiative 1 introduction. If it goes well, it is good not just for nigeria, but for the whole african continent. The paper argues that intraafrican economic cooperation and integration has been poor as it fails to meet international standards. Aec 2012 export diversification and intraindustry trade. However, intraafrican trade as a proportion of the continents overall trading activities has been slower to climb, going from around 10% in 2002 to % in 2014. Yet, this is an issue given that it is widely accepted and established that. The african continental free trade area afcfta is a free trade area which as of 2018 includes 28 countries.
The present study is scheduled as part of the implementation of the undp project raf73029a0140 on the development of intraafrican trade. The heart of it is one of africas unpopular institutions, namely. Facilitating africas trade is in line with the au decision on boosting intraafrican trade and the wto trade facilitation agreement, which puts soft infrastructure, from electronic customs systems to onestop border posts, high up the agenda. Despite the proliferation of regional trade arrangements in subsaharan africa ssa in the past two decades many of which were specifically created to boost trade among the countries in the region, intrassa trade is still very limited and has hardly grown over time. Intraafrica trade to be boosted by continental free trade. World bank data reinforces the hypothesis that the levels of intraafrica are inadequate, between 2007 and 2011 intraafrican trade accounted for only 11% of africas total trade, the lowest of. Recently, three of africas regional economic groupings have announced progress toward a new freetrade area. We should note, that there is a need to enhance the level of intraafrican trade, thereby making it an important driver of development and regional integration in africa as is the case in other regions of the world. Determinants of intraindustry trade in agricultural and food products between poland and eu countries.
Jul 10, 2015 african trade has grown more than fourfold. Expanding intraafrican trade trademark east africa. Both economic and political arguments suggest that increased iat can foster a regional takeoff. How can intraafrican trade be exploited in order to improve economic productivity, especially industrial activity. Intraregional trade is a growing african story 20 compared with other regions of the world, trade between african countries is low because several countries export the same goods, unprocessed commodities, which precludes the need to trade with each other. Intra regional trade statistics show that africa rates among the lowest, with less than 20 percent of what is produced in the region staying within the region. In this regard, it could be said that the issues paper identifies the issues, sets the premises or the basis for action and the action plan defines the. This document presents data on intra african trade over the past.
African leaders are set to launch afcfta, the biggest free trade agreement since the establishment of the wto. The paper argues that intra african economic cooperation and integration has been poor as it fails to meet international standards. May 15, 2016 the african exportimport bank afreximbank is the foremost pan african multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra and extra african trade. It was created by the african continental free trade agreement among 54 of the 55 african union nations. The intraafrica trade fair 2018 iatf2018 is the first sevenday trade show that will take place at egypt international exhibition centre, cairo, egypt from the 11th to the 17th of december 2018. Intraafrican trade in context a frica, which covers approximately 30 million square. The present study is scheduled as part of the implementation of the undp project raf73029a0140 on the development of intra african trade. Pdf in the fast globalizing world, the combined effect of small market size, weak institutions, low human development, worsening terms of. Pdf intraafrican trade and regional integration researchgate. What would it take for african countries to stop exporting the bulk of their oil, diamonds and maize to foreign countries rather than to other african countries. Made in africa rules of origin for enhanced intraafrican trade. Afcfta will solve intraafrican trade problems the free. African governments should harness intraafrican migrations unparalleled growth in order to maximize its benefits for economic growth and structural transformation.
Intraafrica trade to be boosted by continental free trade area. The bank was established in october 1993 by african governments, african private and institutional investors, and nonafrican investors. Action plan for boosting intraafrica trade united nations. Pdf the potential for intraafrica trade and regional integration. Intraafrican trade as a percentage of total trade in africa 200620. An investigation of the determinants of intraindustry trade between zambia and its trading partners in the southern african development community sadc. Does intraafrican trade reduce youth unemployment in africa. African trade statistics yearbook 2017 tralac trade law. The aim of the project is to help african countries to implement an integrated programme with regard to the promotion of trade and trade policies aimed at expanding intraafrican trade. Economic and social council eecacrci93 distr general 22 september 2015 original. Economic obstacles to expanding intraafrican trade.
Its analysis of regional integration and intratrade in africa imputed slow progress to a complex architecture of regional economic communities. For these reasons, expanding intraafrican trade is a key to accelerating economic growth on the continent. The sadc, on the other hand, is highly integrated with its members conducting a significant share of their trade with each other 20 percent. The fact that some of these countries are important in terms of regional gdp suggests that removing obstacles may help expanding intraafrican trade and, hence, initiate the growth spillovers. Africa needs to trade with itself world economic forum. All african countries should therefore be focused on developing connectedness on the continent and building trade relationships, said brewer. African governments want to achieve their objective of boosting intra african trade, they have to create more space for the private sector to play an active role in the integration process. Uzoojinnaka said that nigerias signing into the afcfta agreement was a welcome development, pointing out that african countries incurred enormous losses due to difficulties in intraafrican trade. The share of intraafrican exports as a percentage of total african exports has increased from about 10 percent in 1995 to around 17 percent in 2017, but it. An issues paper fleshing out key issues and challenges for enhancing intraafrican trade, including guidelines for. Intraafrica trade the key to boosting african economies.
Against this background, the economic development in africa report 20, subtitled intra african trade. How can intra african trade be exploited in order to improve economic productivity, especially industrial activity. University of johannesburg, johannesburg, south africa. Intra industry trade is understood as simultaneous import and export of similar but differentiated goods. Determinants of intraindustry trade in agricultural and. Pdf does intraafrican trade reduce youth unemployment.
Accelerating growth through improved intra african trade brookings africa growth initiative 1 introduction. But for technology to be able to transform trade in africa, there are a few important steps we must first take. To unlock the potential of intra african trade and boost competitiveness, governments. If a nigerian wants to buy goods from ghana, the nigerian will pay for the goods. It is especially important for the continents many small, noncoastal countries that face tremendous challenges trading internationally. The summit will focus on solutions to the numerous impediments that hinder intraafrican trade. Most intraafrican trade about threequarters occurs within the most important regional organi. Common market for eastern and southern africa and the southern africa development community tripartite free trade agreement tfta, as well as to the proposed 2017 continental fta cfta between cairo and cape town. Against this background, the economic development in africa report 20, subtitled intraafrican trade.
Can intraafrican trade unlock africas industrial potential. In order to multiply the benefits of the cfta and promote developmental regionalism in africa, a comprehensive vision of trade and development needs to be in place. To link to this object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed this object, paste this html in website. On the road to the african continental free trade area. African head of states and governments will convene in addis ababa, ethiopia later this month to launch a continentwide free trade agreement cfta.
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