Beyond Continental Free Trade area: the Need for a Collective Export Arrangement for African Economies
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Date
2025-01-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a historic effort to unify Africa's trade
landscape and bolster intra-African trade. However, critical infrastructure deficits and the lack of
complementary production structures hinder its potential. This study critiques the prevailing focus on
intra-African trade, arguing for a shift toward collective export arrangements to enhance Africa’s
competitiveness in global markets. By employing qualitative methodologies, including in-depth interviews
with trade experts and a narrative analysis of existing literature, the research identifies systemic
inefficiencies and structural challenges undermining Africa's trade performance. Findings reveal that
collective export mechanisms, akin to export cartels, can offer an effective alternative to conventional
integration strategies. These arrangements would leverage Africa's shared resources, mitigate
competitive fragmentation, and strengthen its global bargaining power. The study advocates a paradigm
shift in trade policy, emphasizing collaboration over competition and collective export strategies as a
pathway to industrial transformation and sustainable economic growth for the continent.
Keywords:African trade, collective export, AfCFTA, export cartels, regional integration
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Keywords
African trade, collective export, AfCFTA, export cartels, regional integration