Political Economy of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
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.
Summary: | 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. |
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