Is Africa an Economic Space?

Khadidiatou Aidara, Founty A. Fall and Abdoulaye Seck

No 333021, Conference papers from Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project

Abstract: This paper uses spatial dynamic panel data approach to analyze the extent to which regional integration processes in Africa has been able to generate economically-integrated space in which economic growth in one country spurs economic growth in its trading partners. The results indicate that the continent as a whole is indeed a spatially integrated economic space, although of a weak proportion compared to advanced economies. To the extent that proximity has more to do with bilateral trade than geographical distance, the results also point to a great deal of heterogeneity, as there is a positive growth spillover effect in regional groupings such as SADC, COMESA and ECOWAS, which happen to register larger intra-regional trade shares, but none in ECCAS and AMU. These results are a welcome addition into the debate over the relevance of a continent-wide free trade agreements and how they could foster inclusive and sustainable development for African economies.

Keywords: International; Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/333021/files/9172.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:pugtwp:333021

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Conference papers from Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by AgEcon Search ().