Publication: Political Economy of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Date
2016-02-01
ISSN
Published
2016-02-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Regional integration in sub-Saharan
Africa (SSA) is crucial for its further economic development
and, more importantly, its structural transformation away
from agriculture towards higher value-added activities, such
as manufacturing and services. Yet there are many paths
towards greater integration, some of which are easier than
others. In order to gain insights into how regional
integration is occurring in SSA, determine impediments to
it, and develop recommendations for how the World Bank and
other development agencies can help further facilitate it,
the World Bank commissioned a set of political economy of
regional integration studies covering sector analyses of
agriculture, financial services, professional services,
trade facilitation, and transport. This report summarizes
the findings from the sector studies and suggests
recommendations for further efforts in these areas by the
World Bank and other development agencies. In a comparative
context, the findings of the studies suggest cautious
optimism for regional integration efforts in sub-Saharan
Africa. Economic integration is more likely to succeed when
it occurs alongside regional attempts at improving political
stability and or developing joint infrastructure.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Brenton, Paul; Hoffman, Barak. 2016. Political Economy of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24767 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”