Fostering Trade in Africa: Trade Relations, Business Opportunities and Policy Instruments (Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development)

Foreword
Contents
Abbreviations
Introduction: Trade Relations, Business Opportunities and Policy Instruments for Fostering Africa’s Trade
	Context and Purpose
	Selection and Organization of Chapters
	References
Africa and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: State of Play, Implementation Challenges, and Policy Recommendations in the Digital Era
	Introduction
	Theoretical Relevance
		Non-tariff Measures and the Gains from Trade
		The “New New” Trade Theory
		The Political Economy of Non-tariff Measures
	Challenges Facing African Countries’ Ability to Trade
	Benefits from TFA Implementation for African Countries
	The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
		Section I of the TFA
		Section II of the TFA
		Section III of the TFA
	State of Play of TFA Implementation in African Countries
		Reflections on Africa’s Implementation Commitments
	Implementation Challenges of the TFA in African Countries
	(i) National Level
		Customs and Trade Authorities
		Customs and Border Agencies
		Government Bodies and the Business Community
	(ii) Regional Level
		Cross-Border Posts
		Transit
		Regional Organizations
	Policy Recommendations
	Conclusion
	References
Correlating Nuances of Trade Facilitation and SPS from an Africa Perspective
	Introduction
	Objective
	Links Between Trade Facilitation and SPS Measures
	Assessment of SPS-Related Measures Notified Under TFA
	The Relationship Between WTO’s TFA Measures, AfCFTA TF Measures, and SPS Measures
		TFA Article 2: Opportunity to Comment, Information Before Entry into Force and Consultations
		TFA Article 3: Advance Rulings
		TFA Article 4: Procedures for Appeal or Review
		TFA Article 5: Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non-discrimination and Transparency
		TFA Article 6: Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties
		TFA Article 7: Release and Clearance of Goods
		TFA Article 8: Border Agency Cooperation
		TFA Article 9: Movement of Goods Intended for Import Under Customs Control
		TFA Article 10: Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation, and Transit
		TFA Article 11: Freedom of Transit
		TFA Article 12: Customs Cooperation
	Trade Facilitation Pillars and Pro-SPS TF Measures Notified WTO’s TFA
		Transparency Pillar Pro-SPS Notifications
		Simplification Pillar Pro-SPS Notifications
		Coordination Pillar Pro-SPS Notifications
		Harmonization Pillar Pro-SPS Notifications
		Standardization Pillar Pro-SPS Notifications
	Issues Relevant to Trade Facilitation and SPS in Regional Trade Agreements, CFTA
	Ongoing Issues in Implementation
	Conclusions
	References
Does Trade Facilitation Promote Bilateral Trade in Sub-Saharan Africa? Policy and Issues
	Introduction
	Literature Review
	Methodology, Data and Estimation Technique
		Model for Empirical Estimation
	Description of Variables
		Regional Trade Agreements, Common Language and Colonization Ties
	Trade Facilitation Policies
		Zero Trade Flows
	Results and Discussions
		Summary Statistics
		Diagnostic Tests
		Discussion of Results
		Summary of Findings
		Zero Trade Flows
	Summary and Conclusions
	Appendix
	References
Assessing the Role of Trade Liberalization in Facilitating Trade Flows and Economic Expansion: Evidence from ECOWAS Countries
	Introduction
	Literature Review
	Methodological Approach
		The Empirical Model
		Method of Analysis
		Data and Data Sources
	Results and Discussions
	Recommendations and Conclusion
	References
Promoting Connectivity of Infrastructure in the Context of One Belt, One Road Initiatives: Implications for Africa in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
	Introduction
	Identification and Analysis of the Responses (Strategy, Policies, etc.) to the Infrastructural Challenges by African Countries (Regional Level, Selected National Country Level)
	Identification and Analysis of Responses to These Challenges by Africa’s Development Partners (Bilateral, Multilateral, Public, Private)
	Identification and Analysis of Responses to These Challenges Through the OBOR Initiative
	Assessment of the Costs and Benefits Associated with the OBOR
	Identification and Analysis of the Specific Arrangements, Incentives and the Capacity Required to Ensure that This Issue Is Beneficial to African Countries
	Concluding Summary
	References
The US-China Trade War:  What Is Africa’s Gain?
	Introduction
	The Review of Earlier Trade War
	The Genesis of the US-China Trade Conflict
	The Cost and Benefits of Trade Conflict on Countries and Globally
	How Africa Can Cash in
		Trade Liberalization and Regional Trade Agreements of Africa
		The Regional Economic Communities and Structure Benefits for Free Trade in Africa
	Critical Policies and Maximal Resource Allocation
		Protectionist Policies and Effects on Imports
		Trade Expansion Policies
	Response to Market Signals and Exports
		Economic Flexibility and Improved Market Access
		Redirection of Trade Opportunities
	Investment in Primary Sectors of the Economy
	Theoretical Underpinning of Trade Facilitation
	Trade Facilitation and Economic Progress in Africa
		Trade Facilitation, Market Efficiency, and Growth
		Trade Diversification and Economic Progress
		The Benefits of Economic Integration
	Addressing Limiting Factors that Affect Trade
		Infrastructure, Poor Institutional Framework and Corruption
		The Dutch Disease Syndrome
	Conclusion and Policy Prescriptions
	References
Strengthening the Future of US—Africa Trade and Business Relations
	Introduction
	Shifting U.S. Policy Towards China and the Political Economy of China-Africa Trade Relations
	Innovative Tools for Fostering Business Connections between USA and Africa
	Conclusion
	References
Understanding the Role of Aid for Trade in Enhancing Corridor Development and Regional Integration in West Africa: Lessons and Policy Directions
	Introduction, Rationale, and the Context
	The Theoretical Underpinning and a Brief Review of Literature
		Understanding the Theoretical Background
		Definition and Background of Aid (ODA)
		Key Issues on Aid and the Case for AfT
		AfT: What Does It Have to Offer?
		Analysis of Some Challenges of Aid in the Context of AfT
		Overview of Opportunities of AfT
		Analysis of Major Opportunities of AfT
	Conclusion and Recommendations: Overcoming Challenges Faced in Deploying AfT Toward Meeting Infrastructure Needs
	Appendix
	References
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations: Creating an Enabling Business Ecosystem for Fostering Trade Opportunities in the Digital Age
	Introduction
	Policy Solutions
	Creating a Coherent Strategy
	Conclusion and the (Future) Research Opportunity Space
	References