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Beyond the pandemic: Implications of COVID-19 on regional economic integration in Southern Africa

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  • Edwin Yingi

    (University of South Africa)

Abstract

This study examined the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the much sought-after regional economic integration using Southern Africa as a case study. The eruption of COVID-19 stifled world economic activities and unleashed economic uncertainties. First, the disease forced countries into imposing restrictions that included total closure of businesses and borders and travel bans that resulted in reduced economic activity among countries. Second, Africa was expected to suffer economic reverse of between -2% to -5% in 2020 due to a sharp decline in output growth. This has had adverse implications on trade and financial markets across the region and scuppers the ambitions for regional economic integration. Using a desktop approach the study critiqued and analysed the literature on regional integration and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prospects for enhanced regional economic integration. The findings revealed that COVID-19 plunged the prospects of regional economic integration into disarray. Owing to imposed restrictions business slumped, trade declined, poverty deepened and vulnerability of populations increased cumulatively negating the quest for regional integration. The study concludes that to manage the aftermath of COVID-19, regional economic coordination should be encouraged. Key Words:COVID-19, Pandemic, Regional integration, SADC

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin Yingi, 2022. "Beyond the pandemic: Implications of COVID-19 on regional economic integration in Southern Africa," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(2), pages 270-279, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:270-279
    DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i2.1661
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Warwick McKibbin & Roshen Fernando, 2021. "The Global Macroeconomic Impacts of COVID-19: Seven Scenarios," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 20(2), pages 1-30, Summer.
    2. Christopher Adam & Mark Henstridge & Stevan Lee, 2020. "After the lockdown: macroeconomic adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 36(Supplemen), pages 338-358.
    3. C. T. Vidya & K. P. Prabheesh, 2020. "Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Global Trade Networks," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(10), pages 2408-2421, August.
    4. S H T, Kumudumali, 2020. "Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Industry: A Review," MPRA Paper 102834, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Gathii,James Thuo, 2011. "African Regional Trade Agreements as Legal Regimes," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521769839, September.
    6. Hartzenberg, Trudi, 2011. "Regional integration in Africa," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2011-14, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
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    Cited by:

    1. Theron Shumba & Sophia Mukorera, 2023. "Monetary Policy Implications on Macroeconomic Performance in the Common Monetary Area: A Panel-SVAR Framework," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, May.

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