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Innovation as a Catalyst for Trade Participation in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Ushahemba IJIRSHAR

    (Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu Universtiy, Nigeria)

  • Jerome Terhemba ANDOHOL

    (Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu Universtiy, Nigeria)

  • Isa Jibrin OKPE

    (Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu Universtiy, Nigeria)

  • Joseph FEFA

    (Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu Universtiy, Nigeria)

  • Joseph Tarza SOKPO

    (Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu Universtiy, Nigeria)

Abstract

This article investigates the role of innovation as a catalyst for trade participation in Africa, addressing existing gaps in the understanding of how innovation benefits trade on the continent. The study applies the pooled mean group (PMG) and the mean group (MG) estimators. The analysis is based on data from 25 African countries. The findings reveal a bidirectional causal relationship between industrial design applications, patents, trademarks, and international trade participation. The study shows that exports encourage investments in design, patents, and branding, while innovation improves exports. Additionally, trademark applications are found to significantly boost exports, and research and development, along with logistical efficiency, contribute to short-term export growth. On the import side, the study finds that factors such as intellectual property protection, innovation, logistics, population size, and economic performance play crucial roles. The study recommends that African governments should prioritise the establishment of innovation ecosystems and promote regional economic integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Ushahemba IJIRSHAR & Jerome Terhemba ANDOHOL & Isa Jibrin OKPE & Joseph FEFA & Joseph Tarza SOKPO, 2025. "Innovation as a Catalyst for Trade Participation in Africa," Management and Economics Review, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 10(3), pages 544-565, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:rom:merase:v:10:y:2025:i:3:p:544-565
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Roper, Stephen & Love, James H., 2002. "Innovation and export performance: evidence from the UK and German manufacturing plants," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(7), pages 1087-1102, September.
    4. M. Hashem Pesaran, 2007. "A simple panel unit root test in the presence of cross-section dependence," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(2), pages 265-312.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • B17 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - International Trade and Finance
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • P45 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - International Linkages

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