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On the accuracy of trade and GDP statistics in Africa: Errors of commission and omission

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  • Morten Jerven

    (Simon Fraser University)

Abstract

African trade statistics suffer from errors of commission and omission. A quarter-century ago, Alexander Yeats (1990) compared receipts of importers and exporters and concluded that the data could not be used to determine the magnitude, direction, or composition of trade. The only fact to be safely deduced from the evidence was that the statistics were plagued by widespread smuggling and/or underreporting. More than two decades later, despite improvement in external economic conditions, trade statistics continue to be lacking in quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Morten Jerven, 2014. "On the accuracy of trade and GDP statistics in Africa: Errors of commission and omission," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 45-52, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jouafr:v:1:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1016_j.joat.2014.08.001
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joat.2014.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deaton, Angus & Miller, Ron, 1996. "International Commodity Prices, Macroeconomic Performance and Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 5(3), pages 99-191, October.
    2. Peter Reuter, 2012. "Draining Development? Controlling Flows of Illicit Funds from Developing Countries," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2242, March.
    3. World Bank, 2011. "Facilitating Cross-Border Trade between the DRC and Neighbors in the Great Lakes Region of Africa : Improving Conditions for Poor Traders [Faciliter le commerce transfrontalier entre la RDC et les ," World Bank Publications - Reports 2785, The World Bank Group.
    4. Morten Jerven, 2013. "Comparability of GDP estimates in Sub-Saharan Africa: The effect of Revisions in Sources and Methods Since Structural Adjustment," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 59, pages 16-36, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maureen Were, 2015. "Differential effects of trade on economic growth and investment: A cross-country empirical investigation," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 71-85, March.

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    Keywords

    Africa; Trade; Statistics; GDP;
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