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The Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Export Growth and Import Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Lanre Kassim

Abstract

This paper adopts panel data methodologies to investigate the impact of trade liberalisation on export growth and import growth across 28 Sub-Saharan African countries from 1981 to 2010. We find that trade liberalisation increases the growth of exports, however, imports grow faster by approximately two percentage points which gives a prima facie evidence that the trade balance in the region deteriorated in the post-liberalisation era. We also find that trade liberalisation significantly raises the price elasticity of demand for exports and imports, however, it does not significantly affect income elasticity of demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Lanre Kassim, 2013. "The Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Export Growth and Import Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa," Studies in Economics 1310, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    • Handle: RePEc:ukc:ukcedp:1310
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    Cited by:

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    3. Larissa Batrancea & Malar Mozhi Rathnaswamy & Ioan Batrancea, 2021. "A Panel Data Analysis of Economic Growth Determinants in 34 African Countries," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "The Role of Public Sector Enterprise on Economic Development: A Case Study Of The Nigerian Power Sector (1981-2015)," MPRA Paper 93291, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Determinants of Manufacturing Sector Performance and Its Contribution To Gross Domestic Product In Nigeria," MPRA Paper 93293, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Ibhagui, Oyakhilome, 2017. "How Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa? New Evidence from Non-threshold and Threshold Analysis," MPRA Paper 85784, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "A causal relationship between unemployment and economic growth," MPRA Paper 93133, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Tan, Yong & An, Liwei, 2015. "Regional Effect of Trade Liberalization on the Firm-level Exports," MPRA Paper 66893, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Effects of Human Capital Investment on Unemployment Volatility in Nigeria (1981-2015)," MPRA Paper 93295, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Macroeconomic Performance Indicators and Exchange Rate Misalignment in Nigeria," MPRA Paper 93292, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "The role of agricultural sector performance on economic growth in Nigeria," MPRA Paper 93132, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Exchange Rate Management and Economic Growth: An FMOLS Approach," MPRA Paper 93125, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Manufacturing Sector Performance, Exchange Rate Volatility and Inclusive Growth In Nigeria (1981-2015)," MPRA Paper 93296, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Constantine, Collin, 2014. "Rethinking the Twin Deficits," MPRA Paper 58798, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Adams, Samuel & Klobodu, Edem Kwame Mensah, 2016. "Remittances, regime durability and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-8.
    16. Kenny S, Victoria, 2019. "Employee productivity and organizational performance: A theoretical perspective," MPRA Paper 93294, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade liberalisation; Export growth; Import growth; Price and Income elasticities of demand; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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