Southern African Economic Integration: Evidence from an Augmented Gravity Model

Thierry Warin, Phanindra Wunnava, Optat Tengia () and Kirsten Wandschneider
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Optat Tengia: Brown University

No 4316, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper investigates the feasibility of creating a common-currency union consisting of 16 countries in Southern Africa. We estimate an augmented-gravity model that includes public deficit, public debt, public expenditure, inflation, and the foreign reserves position. We also integrate Africa-specific variables such as existing economic blocs in the region, colonial heritage, and the convergence of living standards. Our analysis shows that the prospect for further integration in Southern Africa is promising, but many challenges still persist. The existing economic blocs can provide a first stepping stone to a larger currency union, but countries continuously have to cultivate good governance and fiscal discipline.

Keywords: optimum currency area; gravity model; Southern African integration; endogenous optimum currency area theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F1 F3 F4 O24 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 17 pages
Date: 2009-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr and nep-dev
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published - published in: African Finance Journal, 2011, 13 (1), 1- 13

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Journal Article: Southern African Economic Integration: Evidence from an Augmented Gravity Model (2011)
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