Document Type
Original Article
Subject Areas
African Trade
Keywords
regional trade integration; poverty; Africa
Abstract
This study first examines the effect of regional trade integration on poverty reduction in Africa using a GMM approach and historical data covering forty-nine countries and the period 1995-2019. The results reveal that greater intra-regional trade would accelerate poverty reduction. Second, the paper investigates the role of complementary policies in shaping the poverty-reducing effect of regional trade integration. The findings suggest that without a minimum quality of institutions, business regulations, financial depth, and infrastructure development, greater intra-African trade would exacerbate poverty. Hence, by addressing institutional, financial, and infrastructural bottlenecks, countries would better leverage the growing intra-continental trade for poverty alleviation.
How to Cite This Article
Gafa, Dede Woade
(2024)
"Regional trade integration and poverty reduction in Africa: Do complementary policies matter?,"
Journal of African Trade: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Receive Date
12/05/2023
Accept Date
07/01/2024
Publication Date
2024
