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How Can Tariff Elimination and Trade Facilitation Affect East African Economies?

Author

Listed:
  • Pousseni Bakouan
  • Mahamadou Diarra
  • Idrissa M. Ouedraogo

Abstract

The article assesses the potential economic implications of tariff elimination and trade facilitation (TF) in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement for East Africa. Using the most recent GTAP database and computable general equilibrium model, the article provides additional evidence on the socio-economic benefits of the ongoing trade integration process. The results show that the elimination of tariffs would improve economic dynamism in most sectors of activity and household consumption. However, the elimination of tariffs alone would not be sufficient to achieve a significant level of trade integration. From a policy perspective, although a gradual implementation of tariff elimination is more beneficial for the zone, the results highlight the relevance of combining tariff elimination with complementary TF reforms. These reforms amplify the socio-economic gain from the AfCFTA. JEL Codes: F13, F14, F15, E23, C68

Suggested Citation

  • Pousseni Bakouan & Mahamadou Diarra & Idrissa M. Ouedraogo, 2024. "How Can Tariff Elimination and Trade Facilitation Affect East African Economies?," Foreign Trade Review, , vol. 59(1), pages 117-145, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:fortra:v:59:y:2024:i:1:p:117-145
    DOI: 10.1177/00157325231165643
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    AfCFTA; trade facilitation; international trade; computable general equilibrium; East Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models

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