Implementing Trade Facilitation Reform in Africa

doi:10.1017/CBO9781316795873.017

14 - Implementing Trade Facilitation Reform in Africa

from Part II - Africa’s Participation in the Rules-Based Multilateral Trading System

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 October 2016

Marcus Bartley Johns ,

Christina Busch and

Edited by

Chiedu Osakwe and

Patrick Low: Affiliation:
The University of Hong Kong
Chiedu Osakwe: Affiliation:
World Trade Organization, Geneva
Maika Oshikawa: Affiliation:
World Trade Organization, Geneva

Book contents

Get access

Summary

Abstract

Trade facilitation is central to Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy. Costs related to trade facilitation make up a significant proportion of overall trade-related costs, which in Africa are higher than in any other developing region. This acts as a barrier for the integration of African countries into global markets, as well as greater intra-African integration. Improving trade facilitation is essential for lowering costs for African agricultural producers as well as supporting the development of higher value-added activities in agribusiness, manufacturing, and services, including participation in regional and global value chains. Diagnostic tools used by the World Bank Group, such as the Logistics Performance Index, as well as country-specific diagnostics, highlight the key challenges faced. The evidence also shows that performance varies, with some countries making significant progress on reform programs to improve trade facilitation. With other developing regions having generally more advanced trade facilitation regimes, the lessons from these regions can be instructive in designing and implementing reforms in Africa, which the World Bank Group is actively supporting at the national and regional levels. A priority for the Bank Group is implementing trade facilitation programs that do more to reduce trade-related costs facing the extreme poor, given the concentration of extreme poverty in Africa.

Type: Chapter
Information: African Perspectives on Trade and the WTO
Domestic Reforms, Structural Transformation and Global Economic Integration
, pp. 295 - 314

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316795873.017 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2016

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Ahsan, A., Maur, J.-C., Rillo, A., Sirivunnabood, P., Ing, L.Y. (2013), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration monitoring report: a joint report by the ASEAN Secretariat and the World Bank. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.Google Scholar

Arvis, J. (2011), “Transit Regimes” in McLinden, G., Fanta, E., Widdowson, D. and Doyle, T., Border Management Modernization, World Bank, Washington D.C.Google Scholar

Arvis, J. F., Saslavsky, D., Ojala, L., Shepherd, B., Busch, C. and Raj, A. (2014), Connecting to Compete: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy, Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

Beverelli, C., Neumueller, S. and Teh, R. (2015), “Export Diversification Effects of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement”, World Development, vol. 76, pp. 293–310.CrossRef Google Scholar

Brenton, P. and Hoffman, B., (2015), Political Economy of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa, Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

Brenton, P. and Isik, G., (eds). (2012), De-fragmenting Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

Dennis, A. and Shepherd, B. (2011), “Trade Facilitation and Export Diversification”, The World Economy, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 101–122.CrossRef Google Scholar

Dinh, H.T., Palmade, V., Chandra, V. and Cossar, F. (2012), Light Manufacturing in Africa: Targeted Policies to Enhance Private Investment and Create Jobs. Africa Development Forum. World Bank.CrossRef Google Scholar

Hartmann, O. (2014), Corridor transport observatory guidelines, Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) working paper; no. 98. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.Google Scholar

Hoekman, B. and Nicita, A. (2009), “Trade Policy, Trade Cost and Developing Country Trade”. Policy Research Working Paper, 4797, Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

Kowalski, P., Gonzalez, J. L., Ragoussis, A., and Ugarte, C. (2015), “Participation of Developing Countries in Global Value Chains: Implications for Trade and Trade-Related Policies”, OECD Trade Policy Papers, No. 179, OECD Publishing, Paris.Google Scholar

Raballand, G., Refas, S., Beuran, M. and Isik, G. (2012), Why Does Cargo Spend Weeks in Sub-Saharan Ports, Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

Sequeira, S., Hartmann, O. and Kunaka, C., (2014), Reviving Trade Routes: Evidence from the Maputo Corridor. Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) discussion paper; no. 14. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.Google Scholar

OECD (2014), ‘The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement – Potential Impact on Trade Costs’, OECD report, February 2014.Google Scholar

World Bank (2011), Light Manufacturing in Africa – Targeted Policies to Enhance Private Investment and Create Jobs. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

World Bank (2012) Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing Barriers to Regional Trade in Food Staples, Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

World Bank (2015), Africa’s Pulse (October 2015). Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

World Bank (2016), Global Economic Prospects 2016. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar

World Bank Group and World Trade Organization (2015), The Role of Trade in Ending Poverty. Geneva: World Trade Organization.Google Scholar