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Technological Trade Composition and Performance in African Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Blessing Chipanda

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

  • Matthew Clance

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

  • Steven F. Koch

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa)

Abstract

A number of studies have found that spillovers or other externalities associated with trade are sector specific. Yet trade linkages are typically analysed at the macroeconomic aggregates. We analyse Africa's trade composition spanning 1980-2015, using a disaggregated and detailed classification by technological levels. We find that Africa is a net importer of capital goods and its technological export composition has remained highly concentrated in primary goods, which has contributed to a decline in Africa's share of global exports. We also find that regions within Africa have similar technological export composition structures. A few notable countries that have managed to transform their export composition into more semi-processed and relatively high technology exports are the leading importers of capital goods, are better financially developed and better endowed with human capital, infrastructure, and institutions than other African countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Blessing Chipanda & Matthew Clance & Steven F. Koch, 2020. "Technological Trade Composition and Performance in African Countries," Working Papers 202057, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:202057
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exports; imports; trade composition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F19 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Other
    • F60 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - General

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