The effect of regional integration on inclusive growth in COMESA

Lennon Jambo Habeenzu and Boniface Ngah Epo ()
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Boniface Ngah Epo: University of Yaoundé II

SN Business & Economics, 2025, vol. 5, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: Abstract Regional integration is an important policy instrument used to address many challenges in both developed and developing economies. It improves the welfare of the population by increasing access to inputs, goods and services, incomes and employment, to name a few. This study contributes to literature by empirically analysing the effect of regional integration on inclusive growth in Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). A robust feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) estimator was employed on a panel data setting of fifteen COMESA Member States covering the period 2005 to 2021. We computed the inclusive growth variable using the utilitarian social welfare function and Hakimian weighted mean approach. Regional integration was measured by using intra-COMESA exports trade as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The study findings showed that regional integration enhances inclusive growth in COMESA. Additionally, foreign direct investment (FDI), fiscal redistribution and labour productivity robustly promote inclusive growth. On the contrary, inflation and agriculture employment undermine inclusive growth. Policy wise, COMESA Member States should foster collaborations and policies that promote intra-COMESA exports trade—a proxy for regional integration in order to record a growth process that is inclusive.

Keywords: Inclusive growth; Feasible generalized least squares; Regional integration; COMESA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D63 F15 I31 I32 N37 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00948-y

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